Effect of helminthosis on some blood parameters in pigs in Ibadan, Nigeria

Coprological and haematological investigations were carried out on faecal and blood samples collected from 154 pigs from various locations around Ibadan metropolis. Coprological examination consisted mainly of egg floatation techniques while haematological investigations consisted of packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC) and white blood cell count (WBC). Microscopic examination of smears of the blood samples for protozoan blood parasites was also carried out. Faecal samples of 56 (36.36%) pigs were positive for helminth parasites while all the blood samples were negative for protozoan parasites. The eggs of helminth parasites found in this study were those of Ascaris spp., Metastrongylus spp., Globocephallus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Paragonimus spp., Hyostrongylus spp. and Trichuris spp. The mean PCV, RBC and WBC values of pigs negative for helminth parasites were 31.66±8.30%, 10.57±4.68 x106 /ml and 16.97±7.82 x106 /ml respectively while the values for positive pigs were 29.71±8.93%, 9.81±4.84 x109 /ml and 17.34±7.24 x106 /ml respectively. Helminthosis caused a decline in the mean values of PCV and RBC count. The percentage decline in mean PCV values was 6.13%, 8.43% and 1.64% respectively for large white, large white crossed and local breeds of pigs. The percentage decline in mean RBC values was 6.97%, 8.74% and 3.01% respectively for large white, large white crossed and local breeds of pigs. Helminthosis caused an increase in the mean WBC values in the three breeds which was 2.69%, 1.22% and 0.91% respectively for large white, large white crossed and local breeds of pigs. The implications of the findings are discussed. In conclusion, helminthosis caused a decline in the mean values of PCV and RBC values resulting in anaemia in all breeds of pigs while the mean WBC count increased. However, experimental infections of various breeds of pigs of different ages by various types of parasites need to be carried out in order to confirm the trend observed in this study.