Project name: Oesophagostomum dentatum

Description: Oesophagostomum sp. are economically important intestinal nematode parasites of pigs, non-human primates, ruminants and rodents. In many countries including the United States, infection of pigs with O. dentatum is a major cause of economic loss in the the porcine industry. This nematode is also known as "nodular worm" because it provokes the formation of nodules in the host's intestine.O. dentatum has a direct life cycle (no intermediate host is required). Fertilized eggs are passed in the feces to the environment, where they develop to infective larvae, which upon ingestion by the host, migrate to the intestine where they continue their development into adult worms. Typical clinical signs associated with O. dentatum infection are: diarrhea, anorexia, dehydration and rapid weigh loss. Effective drug treatment against this infection exists.

Last updated: 2007-08-15