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===Indentification===
''Ascaris suum'' is a large roundworm of pigs, each worm can grow up to 40cm long. As with all nematodes the females are considerably larger than the males.
''Ascaris suum'' is a large roundworm of pigs, each worm can grow up to 40cm long. As with all nematodes the females are considerably larger than the males.
=== Life-Cycle ===
As with most ascarid species the larvae of ''Ascaris suum'' have a migratory life cycle moving through several body organs before becoming mature adults in the small intestine of the pig.<br/>
As with most ascarid species the larvae of ''Ascaris suum'' have a migratory life cycle moving through several body organs before becoming mature adults in the small intestine of the pig.<br/>
'''Eggs'''<br/>
'''Eggs'''<br/>
=== Epidemiology ===
''A. suum'' is seen globally, however in temperate regions infection normally occurs in the summer months due to the warmer temperatures. Young piglets up to about 6 months old are most susceptible although they begin to develop immunity at about 4 months. Sows carrying adult worms will contaminate the farrowing house rapidly, as female worms can produce 200,000 eggs per day, causing a high incidence of infection in the litter. The highly resistant eggs can survive in the environment for up to 4 years with suitable conditions, this makes control very difficult especially in free range systems.
''A. suum'' is seen globally, however in temperate regions infection normally occurs in the summer months due to the warmer temperatures. Young piglets up to about 6 months old are most susceptible although they begin to develop immunity at about 4 months. Sows carrying adult worms will contaminate the farrowing house rapidly, as female worms can produce 200,000 eggs per day, causing a high incidence of infection in the litter. The highly resistant eggs can survive in the environment for up to 4 years with suitable conditions, this makes control very difficult especially in free range systems.