Endoparasites in swine in different age groups and management systems.

In different age groups endoparasites are of varying importance. Sows are p redominantly infected with gastrointestinal strongyles (mainly Oesophagosto mum spp.), Ascaris suum and Eimeriae, to a lesser extent with Trichuris sui s, Hyostrongylus rubidus, Strongyloides ransomi or Isospora suis, while in suckling piglets I. suis and occasionally S. ransomi frequently occur. Wean ers and fatteners are infected with coccidia and gastrointestinal strongyle s, later with A. suum. Whipworms are also found occasionally. I suis causes diarrhoea in suckling piglets, while in older animals the infection is not correlated with disease. Damage induced by helminths is mainly due to redu ced performance, in the case of ascarosis to reduced carcass value. Therefo re planned antiparasitic measures should be taken at all stages of pig keep ing. Hygienic measures can reduce infection pressure; however parasite elim ination is difficult to obtain under conventional management conditions. Co nsequently the control of parasitic infection at the early stage of piglet production is desirable.