Short Communication: Natural Prophylaxis to the Control of Swine Coccidiosis
Abstract
Coccidiosis swine causes high economic loss, and its prophylaxis is usually performed by the use of chemical drugs. However, these chemical drugs are not allowed in agroecological, organic or biological dynamic systems of pro duction. Additionally, there are concerns about pharmacological resistance and contamination by the presence of chemical residues in the environment and at the food of animal origin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the weight gain and the prevalence of coccidia in piglets submitted to the following treatments: alcoholic extract of propolis 30% (AEP), chemical treatment toltrazuril (CTT), negative control wit h grain alcohol (NCA) and negative control without treatment (NCT). By means of the individual weights and the number of coccidia at the faeces, it was monitored 216 piglets from commercial farms. Under the conditions of this study none therapeutic intervention provided benefits for weight gain and prevalence of coccidia. Thus, by making it possible the minimization of chemical drug use, these results allow us to suggest the laboratory periodic monitoring as a prophylactic control method for swine coccidiosis.
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Introduction
Brazil has one of the largest pig herds in the world (Gennari et al., 1997). Nonetheless there is a need to fulfill the demands of globalization, and this large -scale production, usually conflicts with the production of agroecological or organic food. Consumers are increasingly demanding about the quality standards and food safety (Castro Neto et al., 2010).
Coccidiosis and colibacillosis are highlights as causes of enteritis in piglets (Linares et al., 2009), determining diarrhea, dehydrat ion and consequently loss of uniformity of litters (Pelliza et al., 2007). Isospora suis affects piglets with the highest prevalence from 6 to 21 days (Zlotowski et al., 2008) .
Propolis have been identified as natural treatment due to their activities cocc idiostat (Moura et al., 1998), antiprotozoal (Dantas et al., 2006) , antifungal, antimicrobial (Cardoso, 2009) and antiviral (Cueto et al., 2011). However, their properties and quality are vary by the bee flora and species of bee (Pinto et al., 2011). Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate weight gain and prevalence of coccidia in piglets submitted to the following treatments: alcoholic extract of propolis 30% (AEP), chemical treatment toltrazuril (CTT), negative control grain alcohol (NCA), and negative control without treatment (NCT).
Conclusion
These results allow us to suggest the laboratory periodic monitoring as a prophylactic control method for minimizing the use of chemical coccidiostats in pig farming, justifying the interference by the use of chemical drugs only when necessary.
