Study 2: understanding the parasite fauna of the Philippine native swine

Philippine native swine industry has increased in the past recent years in the country and common in smallholder ares where it is kept under low-cost farming system. At present, there is an increasing demand for native swine meat due to its nutraceutical value of palatability. However, there is a dearth of information regarding the potential threats, such as parasites, in low-cost native swine farming. Hence, this study aimed to determine the parasite fauna of the Phil. native swine among smallholder farms and assess the extent of contamination in the environment. Examination of native swine samples from municipalities of Quezon Province [Philippines] identified 14 parasites, all of which have adverse effects on animal health and are potential zoonotic agents, thus, have implications to public health. Morphological and molecular identification revealed the presence of the five nematode species namely, Ascaris suum, Metastrongylus apri, two species of Oesophagostomum (O. dendatum and O. quadrispinulatum), Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichur suis; and nine protozoan species namely, Balantidum coli, Blastocystis sp. Crytosporidium sp., Eimeria sp. Endolimax nana, Entamoeba spp., Giardia sp., Iodamoeba butschlii, and Isospora sp. Two subtypes of Blastocystis were also identified namely subtype 1 associated with human and subtype 3 associated with swine and ruminants. Parasites' eggs/larvae were also found contaminating soils from farm vicinities such as Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., Toxocara sp. and Hymenolepis nana, strongylids, and coccidian oocysts. Cryptoporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were also recovered from water samples. Univariate analysis showed significant associations of the occurrence of parasite with the sex of swine, farming experience, raising other livestock in the farm , provision of mixed raw roughage to animals, administration of medication to sick pigs, routine deworming of pigs, and farmers' knowledge on the impact of manure to the environment. The current data will be useful in improving agricultural practices in marginalized sectors and facilitate effort from various stakeholders to mitigate the adverse effects of parasitic infections in native swine.