Current strategies for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes of pigs in Europe

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remain an often-underestimated challenge in European pig production, affecting animal health, performance, and economic outcomes. The predominant species, Ascaris (A.) suum, Oesophagostomum (O.) spp., and Trichuris (T.) suis, impair growth, feed efficiency, and carcass quality, whilst also contributing to reproductive losses and liver condemnation. Moreover, GIN can modulate host immunity, interfere with vaccine responses, and influence coinfection outcomes, thereby compromising overall herd health. The zoonotic potential of A. suum and T. suis further highlights the need for effective control strategies. This review critically synthesises the available evidence on the occurrence, impact, and control of porcine GIN in Europe and identifies pig-specific knowledge gaps and priorities for integrated control. GIN occur across all European pig production systems. However, accurate surveillance remains challenging due to methodological heterogeneity, uneven geographical coverage, and limited recent large-scale epidemiological data. Reported farm-level prevalences therefore vary widely, ranging from 1 to 100% (A. suum), 2-27% (O. spp.), and 0.3-75% (T. suis). Higher infection levels are generally reported in outdoor, organic, and small-scale production systems. Current control strategies largely depend on anthelmintics. Reports of reduced efficacy and resistance, particularly in O. spp., highlight the need for improved surveillance and diagnostic-based treatment. Hygiene practices, housing design, flooring, bedding, pasture, and herd management can influence transmission, but their effectiveness under commercial conditions remains insufficiently evaluated. Alternative approaches, including dietary interventions, probiotics, genetic selection, and vaccine development, may complement conventional measures, although most are not yet established for routine use. Changes in climate, animal welfare requirements, production systems, and expectations concerning pharmaceutical use may further alter GIN exposure and control needs. Standardised surveillance, contemporary assessments of animal health and economic consequences, field-based intervention studies, and sustainable, integrated control programmes are therefore key priorities for European pig production.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Parasites & Vectors, 2026 · DOI ↗