PREVALENCE OF PORCINE NEONATAL ISOSPOROSIS IN BRAZIL

The prevalence of Isospora suis and clinical signs of isosporosis were observed in 33 swine farms from 20 sites in the southeastern state of Sb Paulo, Brazil. The study was performed by collecting 177 faecal sa mples from nursing and weaned piglets. A history of clinical neonatal isosporosis, as well as the type of farrowing and nursery houses and t he pig management in the farms were correlated to the prevalence of I. suis oocysts. Six faecal samples were collected in each of the farms (two from groups of 10- to 19-day-old piglets, two from groups of 20- to 29-day-old and another two from groups of 30- to 50-day-old pigs). Faecal consistency was also registered at the time of their collection . Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis, Oocysts were mo re prevalent in farms with a history of neonatal isosporosis than in t hose without previous cases. Faecal consistency was not related to ooc yst elimination. In farms with a history of clinical isosporosis, faec al samples from groups of 10- to 19-day-old piglets showed a higher pr evalence of oocysts than the groups of other ages studied. There was n o difference in the prevalence of oocysts between nursing and weaned p iglets. Oocysts were more prevalent in faecal samples collected from d irty-cemented floors than from self-cleaning floors in the farrowing h ouses. Types of floor and pig management in nursery houses were not as sociated with the presence of oocysts in weaned pigs.