Prevalence and sustainable control of Balantidium coli infection in pigs of Ranchi, Jahrkahnd, India

Pigs had a higher degree of gastrointestinal protozoa infection 93 out of 100 faecal samples. Balantidium coli infected pigs were controlled effectively by oxytetracycline (100% on 3rd day of observation) and Metronidazole +Furazolidone combination (100% on 5th day of observation). Initially B. coli infected pigs had decreased haemoglobin, pack cell volume and total erythrocyte count values, but these pigs returned towards normal ranges after 7th day of observation. The differential leukocyte count values of B. coli infected pigs showed decreased values of neutrophils, and lymphocytes, and increased eosinophils values come towards normal range on 7th day of observation. The average body weight gain in oxytetracycline and metronidazole + furazolidone combination treated Tampworth & Desi piglets showed higher viz.35.25 ± 1.64 kg and 28.08 ± 1.75 kg of body weight respectively than untreated infected control piglets (15.75 ± 2.39). The average body weight gain in Oxytetracycline and metronidazole + furazolidone combination treated desi piglets were higher body weight viz. 36.67±1.07 kg and 32.50±0.96 kg respectively than untreated infected control piglets (22.00±0.88 kg). In both the treatment group, the group treated with Oxytetracycline had significantly higher body weight gain 35.25 ± 1.64 kg and 36.67±1.07 kg in both T & D and desi piglets respectively than metronidazole +furazolidone combination treated T & D and desi piglets (28.08 ± 1.75 kg, 32.50±0.96 kg respectively). The observation on different hematological parameters during B. coli infection and their treatment indicated that the harm caused by B. coli in pigs could be reduced to a greater extent by suitable therapeutic management. Application of suitable control packages were found to be very encouraging for maintaining optimum health and economical pig production. Oxytetracycline drugs showed higher efficacy than metronidazole + furazolidone combination and it show significantly higher growth in body weight in both T& D and desi piglets.


Introduction
prevalence rate 60-90% have been reported in animals in single herd.In man, it is most often The common zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoa found in individuals who were in contact with are Giardia spp, Entamoeba spp, Toxoplasma spp., swine and those exposed to poor environmental Sarcocystis spp, Balantidium spp and Cryptospohygienic condition.Disease of B. coli in man ridium spp which are usually communicable to usually affects the mucosa of the large intestine, man and animal and vice-versa.The various but it can also invade the liver and the lungs, domesticated animal suffer from zoonotic disease though it rarely happens (Vidan et al.1985; Ladas which are easily transmitted to man (Takanoet al., 1989).Keeping in view the above facts, the meron, 1971).These protozoa are highly prevalent present was done to know the prevalence and in rural and urban population of tropical and sustain the control of B. coli infection in pigs.subtropical countries (Grewal, 1968 and Rao et

al, 1975).
The infection is very frequent in swine, Prevalence of B. coli infection in pigs: The prevalence of Balantidium coli in pigs estimated (DPT) and, then, fortnightly up to 90 days.by the faecal samples (100) taken directly from ii) Haematological observations (Hb, PCV, TEC and DLC) on 0 day before treatment the rectum from Institute's farm and field.The individual faecal sample collected in plastic and then weekly intervals up to 30 days.container with tight lid or closed plastic bags iii) Growth rate at fortnightly interval.were brought to the laboratory for examination.

Estimation of cyst per gram (CPG):
The CPG of Each faecal sample was examined by direct and each animal infected with B. coli was estimated indirect method described by Soulsby (1982).th before and after treatment, twice weekly upto 15 Prevalence B. coli were identified on the basis of day and, then, fortnightly upto the end of experiment cysts and trophozoites morphological features as per Stoll dilution method (1930).The percent (Soulsby, 1982;Chatterjee, 1996).
efficacies of the drugs were calculated by the almost similar age groups were selected and Haematological observations: For assessing maintained at piggery unit, Ranchi Veterinary different hematological parameters, the blood College on normal balanced feeds ad libitum.The was collected from anterior vena-cava in small animals were divided into three groups having six sterile vial having anticoagulant EDTA @ 1-2 st animals each. 1 group was treated with mg/ml of blood.The hematological parameter Metronidazole @ 20mg/kg body wt.+ Furazolidone Viz.Hemoglobin (g%), Packed cell volume @ 10mg/kg b. wt.orally for 4 consecutive days, (%),were examined with the help of automated nd 2 group was treated with Oxytetracycline@ 10 hematological analyzer (Transasia, Japan), Total rd mg/kg b. wt orally for 4 consecutive days and 3 3 Erythrocytes Count (mm ) method described by group remained infected with B.coli (control).Schalm et. al. (1975) as well as by using automated Another healthy group was taken for comparison cell counter (Transasia, Japan), Differential th with these groups and it was kept in 4 group Leucocytes Count (DLC) method described by which was uninfected and untreated.Any other Schalm et. al. (1975).erroneous infections were therapeutically managed.The detail therapeutic trials in T & D Growth rate: The growth rate in piglets during breed and desi pig were carried out as per the infection and simultaneous treatment in different groups were recorded fortnightly upto 90 days.experimental schedules mentioned in the table 1.
For taking the gross live weight, the pigs hind legs Observations of treatment were recorded as per were tied with the help of a nylon rope by attaching the schedule follow: i) Pre and post treatment Cyst per gram (CPG) the body on the brisket and belly position and,

Table-1. Drugs administration schedule against B. coli infection in T&D and Desi pigs
the ceiling of the animals shed (Kumari, 2001).
extent.The therapeutic efficacies of Metronidazole + Furazolidone (Fazole®) and Oxytetracycline Statistical analysis of the data collected during the study of different parameters was done against naturally B. coli infected T&D and desi by using standard formulae and methods described piglets were assessed.The first group which by Snedecor and Cochran (1994)

Control of B. coli infection in pigs:
The growing Haematological observation during B. coli infection and their treatment: Haematological piglets having naturally acquired B. coli infection profiles of growing desi and T & D piglets during were selected for their control so that considerable B. coli infection and their treatment was carried economic losses could be minimized to some

Table-2. Average body weight gain (kg) in growing T & D piglets during B. coli infection in different treatment groups
Group-I Fazole treated, Group-II Oxytetracycline treated, Group-III Healthy control, Group-IV Infected control Figures having same superscripts did not differ significantly (P< 0.05) out to monitor the health status of infected and Eosinophils express receptor for a class of antibody called IgE and are able to bind avidity to treated animals.The observation on hematological B. coli IgE coated particles.They are particularly effective parameters also indicated that may cause significant decrease in the values of Hb, PCV, and at destroying infectious agents that stimulate the TEC value.B. coli potentially to invade tissue, it production of IgE, such as helminths parasites.In penetrates the mucosa with cellular infiltration in fact, helminths may relatively resistant to the the area of the developing ulcers.Abscess lysosomal enzyme of neutrophils and macrophages, formation may extend up to muscular layer also but are often killed by the specialized granule (Garcia, 2001).Penetration of B. coli cause protein of eosinophils.Eosinophils are also abundant damage of mucosal cells leading to cause at the site of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic balantidial dysentery but it occurs in severe cases.reaction).The growth and differentiation of But in chronic cases it may cause reduction of Hb, eosinophils are stimulated by a helper T cell PCV and TEC value.After treatment these values derived cytokine called IL5 and T-cell activation were found to return almost the normal ranges contributes to eosinophils accumulation at sites this might have been taken place due to elimination of parasitic infection and allergic reaction (Abbas of the G.I. parasites by the drugs.The marked et al,1998).reduction in Hb, PCV and TEC value in B. coli Since, there was lack of literature mentioning infection in pigs were also suppose to have the reasons for variation in hematological occurred due to the suppressive effect of toxic parameters during B. coli infections and their substances secreted or excreted by B. coli.
treatment with chemical drugs in pigs.However, The presents findings also indicated that the effects of G.I. parasitism and therapeutic eosinophils cell are increased and other cell are management on the hematological parameters were studied and reported by Das and Prasad decreased before treatment which was found to return almost towards the normal ranges on (2004) in goats the possible reason for the reduction in hematological constituents might different days of post treatment observations.due to blood loss caused by the parasites and at Eosinophils are thought to be function mainly the same time toxic substances released by the defense against certain types of infectious agent.

Observation period
breed of Tamworth and Desi pigs) Percent Efficacy = Pre treatments mean CPG -Post and desi pigs: For the control of B. coli in pigs, 18 treatments mean CPG / Pre treatments mean CPG X naturally infected T& D and 18 desi piglets of 100.
th then, hanged to a spring balance already fitted in twice weekly up to 15 day post treatment day,3rd day,5th day,7th day,9th and treated Furazolidone 10 mg/kg body wt.(Fazole®) day,11th day,15th day then weekly orally daily for 4 consecutive days interval up to 90th day.-do--do-Oxytetracycline @ 10 mg/kg b. wt.orally -do-

Prevalence of B. coli infection in pigs:
. comprised of T & D and desi growing piglets having natural B. coli infection was treated with Over all group of infected piglets treated with Oxyprevalence of Balantidium coli infection in pig tetracycline.Animals of both the treated groups th both T & D breed as well as desi pigs were found were completely free from parasites on 5 day of 93% (Chakraborthy et al., 2001, Heitman et al.Senler et al. 2003 Sturdee, 2003) by The results indicated that both the drugs were examining 100 faecal samples from T & D breed found to be highly effective against B. coli as well as desi pig.T & D breed of pig showed less infection.If the results of B. coli treatment of pigs prevalence while desi pigs showed high prevalence were compared with the earlier findings, it was of incidence of B. coli.This desi pigs showed evident that the present investigation was in higher degree of gastrointestinal protozoal infection general agreement with the reports of Patnaik et mainly B. coli because of poor managemental al ,1965; Mwamba et al., 1977; Palanivel, 2005 conditions adopted in most of the organized and and Sengar et al., 2006.The perusal of literature non organized farm.indicated that only limited references were available for the control of B. coli in pigs.Hence, there is a need to carry out similar trials of control of B. coli on large population of pigs of different age group under different farm condition for confirming the results of the present study.All the growing piglets of both the treated groups were examined time to time at regular interval after first treatment and the natural re-infections nd Metronidazole + Furazolidone (Fazole®) and 2 th acquired on 30 days were treated with respective drugs to control the infection as per the schedule showed in table 1.

Table - 4. Average body weight gain (kg) in growing desi piglets during B. coli infection in different treatment groups
Prevalence and sustainable control of Balantidium coli infection in pigs of Ranchi, Jahrkahnd, India Frederick, L.M., Viste, J.R., therapy was not clearly known but it may be due Guselle, N.J., Morgan, U.M., Thompson, to broad spectrum activity of Oxytetracycline R.C.A. and.Olson ,M.E.(2002).Prevalence of which checks the other microbes present in Giardia and Cryptosporidium and characterization gastrointestinal tract resulting into increased feed of Cryptosporidium spp.isolated from wildlife, intake, feed utilization and increased absorption human, and agricultural sources in the North of nutrients.(Horvath et al, 1954; Castillo et al., Saskatchewan River Basin in Alberta, Canada.2003; Michalova et al., 2004).

Table - 5. Analysis of variance of Average body weight gain in growing desi piglets during B. coli infection in different treatment groups
Prevalence and sustainable control of Balantidium coli infection in pigs of Ranchi, Jahrkahnd, India