Prevalence of Stephanurus dentatus in feral pig (Sus scrofa) in New Caledonia

Abstract

Pig stephanurosis is a worm (Stephanurus dentatus) infestation of the kidney and perirenal fat. A survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of the infestation in feral pigs (Sus scrofa) slaughtered during control operations or hunting in New Caledonia between March 2012 and December 2013. Of the 70 slaughtered feral pigs, 45 (64.3%) were infested by S. dentatus in either the liver, kidney or perirenal fat. No significant difference was observed between males and females, or between animals under one year of age and older ones. In younger animals parasites were mainly present in the liver, whereas in older animals they were mostly present in the kidney area. Seasonal variations did not influence S. dentatus infestation rates and this parasitic disease was observed nearly over the entire studied area.