ABSTRACT
In this study the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in fattening pigs in Murcia, southeastern Spain was investigated. Results showed that 37% of the 1318 slaughtered pigs examined were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis. Skin lesions potentially attributable to this mite were present in 92.80% of animals, but the parasite could be detected in only 38.60% of them. The condition of the ear (clean/dirty) was not a defining characteristic for the diagnosis of this swine disease. A sucrose flotation-concentration technique was more effective than direct microscopy in finding the mite in ear scrapings.
Subject(s)
Sarcoptes scabiei/growth & development , Scabies/veterinary , Swine Diseases/epidemiology , Animals , Dermatitis/parasitology , Dermatitis/veterinary , Ear/parasitology , Prevalence , Scabies/epidemiology , Scabies/parasitology , Spain/epidemiology , Swine , Swine Diseases/diagnosis , Swine Diseases/parasitologyABSTRACT
A study was conducted in fattening pigs from NE Spain to determine the prevalence of sarcoptic mange. Pigs were sacrificed in a slaughterhouse in the province of Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain) in November 1990, April 1991, and October 1991. From 7906 pigs slaughtered on those dates, 818 ear scrapings were taken. The survey results indicate that 276 (33.7%) of 818 pigs sampled from 58 (86.6%) of 67 herds were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei (De Geer). The presence of Sarcoptes-induced skin lesions was examined in 816 pigs. Of the 660 pigs showing skin lesions, 244 (37.0%) were positive for mites. A sucrose flotation-concentration method was more effective than a direct examination technique to detect S. scabiei mites.
