Alpacas (Vicugna pacos), native to South America, were recently introduced to Korea, primarily for tourism-related activities. However, information on their parasitic infections in alpacas within the region are limited. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in an alpaca herd on a single farm in Korea and to assess the potential risks for reinfection and interspecies transmission. Between June 2022 and June 2023 (excluding December 2022 and January 2023), fecal samples were collected monthly from a herd of 61 alpacas housed on a farm on Jeju Island, Korea. Coprological examination of 406 samples was performed using a modified McMaster technique, and parasites were identified morphologically. Six gastrointestinal parasite taxa were identified: strongyles, Trichuris sp., capillarids, Moniezia sp., Eimeria lamae, and Eimeria macusaniensis. The overall gastrointestinal parasite prevalence was 11.3%, with strongyles and Trichuris sp. most frequently identified. No seasonal trends were observed, and mixed infections were present in five animals. The prevalence was markedly lower compared with reports from Japan, Poland, and Australia, reflecting the restricted pasture access implemented by Korea’s alpaca management systems, which are primarily tourism-oriented. Neither Nematodirus spp. nor zoonotic parasites were detected. This is the first longitudinal investigation of gastrointestinal parasites in alpacas in Korea. Although the overall prevalence was low, environmental contamination and the risk of reinfection are ongoing concerns. These findings highlight the need for routine surveillance, targeted parasite control, and consistent veterinary oversight, particularly as alpaca populations expand in Korea.
This study aimed to examine the distribution of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in domestic pigs in the Republic of Korea. From May 2020 to October 2021, 364 pig fecal samples were collected from 75 farms in 7 Provinces and microscopically examined. A total of 170 (46.7%) pigs were infected with at least one of the following parasites: Balantioides coli, strongyles, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and coccidia. By parasite species, B. coli, strongyles, A. suum, T. suis, and coccidia oocysts or eggs were detected in 144 (39.6%), 24 (6.6%), 14 (3.8%), 4 (1.1%), and 1 (0.3%) samples, respectively. One hundred fifty-four, 15, and 1 cases showed single, double, and triple infections, respectively. Of the swine fecal samples from 75 farms, 69 specimens (92.0%) were infected with 1 or more parasites. All surveyed farms across the country exhibited a positive rate of over 30%, among which the highest positive rate was 65.0% in Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeollabuk-do was followed by 61.9%. Winter showed a statistically lower prevalence than other seasons. This study showed that gastrointestinal parasites are prevalent in pigs in Korea, although the diversity of parasites is low.
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