Oesophagostomum

OESOPHAGOSTOMUM SPECIES

• a typical strongyloid
• found in the caecum and colon
• approximately 1.5cm long
• two major species but these are very similar
• a periparturient egg-rise occurs, but this is not as constant as that seen in sheep
• not very pathogenic, but large numbers depress milk production in sows and growth-rate in young pigs.

The Thin Sow Syndrome

NOTE: H. rubidis and Oesophagostomum species both produce typical strongyle eggs in faeces. H. rubidis is more pathogenic but produces few eggs, whereas Oesophagostomum species are prolific egg-layers but not very pathogenic. Care is therefore needed in interpreting egg-count data. Larval culture is needed to confirm presence of H. rubidis.