Abstract

A prospective sampling study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the major ecto-and haemoparasites of slaughtered pigs between October 2021 and April 2022 in southern parts of Gombe State Northeastern part of Nigeria. The study was limited to the southern part of the State which included: Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom Local Government Areas. Ectoparasites were collected from slaughtered pigs from different locations using brush and manual hand picking with forceps. The picked parasites were identified using a stereotype microscope. Out of the 87 pigs sampled, 31 (35.6%) were infested with ectoparasites, of which 29 (33.3%) were infested with Haematopinus suis, while 7 (8%) were hard ticks (Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus spp.). Examination of stained blood smears showed the presence of haemoparasites in the sampled pigs from three Local Government Areas. However, this was different for Kaltungo Local Government where no haemoparasites were observed. Eperythrozoon specie was reported in Shongom and Balanga while mixed infection of Eperythrozoon and Babesia were observed in Billiri Local Government Area. The study established the presence of ecto-and haemoparasites in the Southern part of Gombe State.

Key words: Ectoparasites, Haemoparasites, Pigs, Prevalence, Gombe State