Authors

KI Idika¹; CF Obi¹; TA Nzeakor¹; SI Aideyan¹; GE Aneru¹; CO Nwosu¹;  ¹ University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Discussion

Albendazole is the most commonly used anthelmintic in the Nigerian pig industry; however, its continued efficacy is increasingly threatened by emergence of drug-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) strains. Thus, the efficacy of albendazole against GINs in pigs was investigated in Nsukka area of Enugu State. Faecal samples were collected per rectum from randomly selected 130 pigs in 13 pig farms and examined for GINs. Six out of the 13 pig farms were thereafter selected on the basis of no anthelmintic treatment for a 2-month period, from which 10 pigs each were randomly selected and marked for the efficacy of albendazole studies using faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). Faecal samples were collected from each pig and analysed to determine the pre-treatment FEC prior to albendazole administration. Ten days post-treatment, faecal samples were also collected for post-treatment FEC. Albendazole resistance was confirmed where the FECR percentage was less than 95% and the lower 95% confidence limit was less than 90% but if only one of the two criteria was met, resistance was suspected. GIN prevalence rate of 63.1% was obtained with mixed infection having 74.6% prevalence rate. Albendazole resistance to GINs and trichurids was established in one pig farm but was suspected in two farms. Resistance of strongyle worms to albendazole was suspected in three farms but confirmed in one farm while albendazole resistance to ascarids was suspected in five farms. This study revealed varying degrees of efficacy of albendazole against GINs and demonstrated possible presence of albendazole resistance against GIN populations in pigs reared in Nsukka area as well as low efficacy of albendazole against trichurids.