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.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Molecular identification and diversity of gastrointestinal apicomplexan protozoa in pigs in the Republic of Korea Subin Lee, Sang-Hyup Lee, Badriah Alkathiri, Kyung-Duk Min, Dong Hyeon Kwon, Mi-Hye Hwang, Gyu-Tae Jeon, Bok Kyung Ku, Jae-Won Byun, Seung-Hun Lee Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Gastrointestinal parasites in pigs in Brazil: prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, and extension activities Camila Souza Carvalho Class, Renan de Souza Ferreira, Ana Luiza Soares de Araujo, Ingrid da Silva Reis, Breno Torres da Silva, Fabiana Batalha Knackfuss, Laís Lisboa Corrêa, José Arcínio de Assis, Marcelo José Milagres de Almeida, Daniel de Castro Trindad Parasitology Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Integrative use of conventional and DNA metabarcoding methods reveals high diversity, prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs from Victoria, Australia Ghazanfar Abbas, Yuet On Lee, Hannah Mitchell, Abdul Ghafar, Mark A. Stevenson, Charles G. Gauci, Leah G. Starick, Regina M. Fogarty, Bernie Gleeson, Dianne E. Phillips, Tao Wang, Robin B. Gasser, Abdul Jabbar Research in Veterinary Science.2025; 196: 105902. CrossRef
Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites on pig farms in Kalasin Province, Thailand Sirikanda Thanasuwan, Supawadee Piratae, Keattipong Thaowandee, Chalothon Amporn Veterinary World.2024; : 273. CrossRef
Comparative Analysis of Ascaris suum and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus Infections in Free-Ranging and Captive Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Hungary Csaba Farkas, Alexandra Juhász, Balázs Fekete, Borisz Egri Animals.2024; 14(6): 932. CrossRef
Parasites burden in peri-urban free-roaming pigs in Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa P Munzhelele, NPS Sibeko, JW Oguttu, CA Mbajiorgu, FO Fasina Journal of the South African Veterinary Association.2024; 95(1): 55. CrossRef
Prevalence of intestinal parasites in humans and domestic animals in Jirel community, Dolakha, Nepal Pitambar Dhakal, Medhavi Dhakal, Dipa Dhakal, Pramita Shakya, Barsha Singh, Rabina Gupta Kalwar, Rekha Shahi, Sophiya Pandey, Darwin Niraula, Anita Karki, Mukesh Kumar Mahato, Semsal Tamang, Basanti Chhetri, Muna Thapa, Rameshwor Parajuli, Janak Raj Subed Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2024; 13(8): 3408. CrossRef
This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
First morphological and molecular characterisation of Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda, Diphyllobothriidae) in a domestic cat from Veracruz, Mexico Enrique Salazar-Grosskelwing, Roger I. Rodriguez-Vivas, Manuel E. Bolio-González, Dora Romero-Salas, Rodolfo Ramos-Beltrán, Alberto Solano-Barquero, Alicia Rojas Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports.2025; 57: 101189. CrossRef
Description of Spirometra asiana sp. nov. (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) found in wild boars and hound dogs in Japan Hiroshi Yamasaki, Hiromu Sugiyama, Yasuyuki Morishima, Hirotaka Kobayashi Parasitology International.2024; 98: 102798. CrossRef
Molecular identification of Spirometra infections in companion animals and wildlife in Japan Hiroshi YAMASAKI, Hiromu SUGIYAMA, Yasuyuki MORISHIMA, Yasuhito SAKO Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.2024; 86(4): 409. CrossRef
WITHDRAWN: First morphological and molecular characterisation of Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda, Diphyllobothriidae) in a domestic cat from Veracruz, Mexico Enrique Salazar-Grosskelwing, Roger I. Rodriguez-Vivas, Manuel E. Bolio-González, Dora Romero-Salas, Rodolfo Ramos-Beltrán, Alberto Solano-Barquero, Alicia Rojas Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports.2024; 56: 101127. CrossRef