The pig as a host for Schistosoma mekongi in Laos

A survey of helminths in domestic pigs was conducted in Khong District, Lao s, to elucidate if these domestic animals could act as definitive hosts for Schistosoma mekongi and to obtain a general overview of their helmintholog ical infection status. Fecal samples were collected from 98 pigs. Twelve pi gs (12.2%) were found to excrete S. mekongi eggs. Infection was confirmed b y detection of S. mekongi eggs in tissues of liver, rectum, and cecum of 2 pigs. A total of 75.8% of the pigs was infected with 1 or more helminth spe cies. This study showed that pigs may act as a definitive host for S. mekon gi.