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Schistosoma japonicum and Trichuris suis infections in pigs fed diets with high and low protein

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 1997

M. V. JOHANSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory, Jægersborg Allé 1D, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark
H. O. BØGH
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
H. GIVER
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory, Jægersborg Allé 1D, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark
L. ERIKSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
P. NANSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
L. STEPHENSON
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
K. E. B. KNUDSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Institute of Animal Science, Research Centre Faulum, P.O. Box 39, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark

Abstract

The aim of the study was to measure the impact of Schistosoma japonicum and Trichuris suis infections in young growing pigs fed low- or high-protein diets. Thirty-two pigs, 6–10 weeks old, were randomly allocated to 2 groups receiving either a high- or a low-protein diet. After 11 weeks half of the pigs from each group were infected with 1500 S. japonicum cercariae and 4000 T. suis eggs. The weight of the pigs was measured throughout the study, and blood and faecal samples were collected every second week from the time of infection. At the time of infection the low-protein pigs had significantly lower mean body weights, haemoglobin and albumin levels compared with the high-protein pigs, and this pattern continued throughout the study. The serum albumin concentration was further significantly reduced in the infected low-protein pigs compared to the non-infected low-protein pigs. Significantly more S. japonicum worms as well as faecal and tissue eggs were found in the low-protein pigs compared with the high-protein pigs. No differences between the 2 diet groups were observed in T. suis establishment rates or faecal egg excretion. We conclude that this low-protein diet increased the establishment rates of S. japonicum, favoured larger deposits of S. japonicum eggs in the liver and faecal egg excretion, reduced weight gains and caused anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia in younggrowing pigs as compared with a high-protein diet.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1997 Cambridge University Press

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