Coccidios em suínos nativos criados extensivamente na baixada Maranhense, Brasil

Abstract

Pigs are species of great importance in the production of meat for human consumption, and depending on the profitability of production and the degree of efficiency of the same, parasitic diseases can lead to significant losses well in the main indicators of production efficiency. The oocysts of Eimeria in pigs are difficult to identify as to their kind because of the considerable morphological changes found in samples of the same species. The oocysts of each species are morphologically different, they can be identified according to shape and size, the most common shapes are spherical, oval or ellipsoid. As parasites Eimeria and Cystoisospora gender, cryptosporidiosis in farm animals is translated not only by the zoonotic potential of some species as well as by the economic loss that this promotes infection. The primary diagnostic method used in most laboratories is that which allows the identification of the presence of oocysts in the feces without the determination of the species of Cryptosporidium involved. The demonstration of oocysts in the faeces is useful to confirm a diagnosis of coccidiosis. The oocysts are disposed in large numbers over a relatively short period of time during the first or second day of diarrhea, and can not be present during the examination. Qualitative parasitological methods for the concentration of eggs and oocysts from protozoa through Supersaturated solutions of sugar and sodium chloride (NaCl) are used to minimize debris and facilitating the visualization of oocysts with the aid of centrifugal and more modern microscopes that decrease of tests run time and increase the accuracy of results. Knowledge of the species of coccidia that affect pigs and intensity of infection acquired by these animals is essential for proper implementation of control measures in a given region, as well as the factors that interfere with their development.