Abstract:
Metastrongylidosis is a parasitosis caused by several species of nematodes of the genus Metastrongylus. The development
of parasites goes through transitional hosts - earthworms. Infection occurs when pigs eat infected worms so infections are
most commonly found in organic production and extensive breeding. The pathological effect of parasites begins with
their larvae migratory movement from the lung capillaries to the lung tissue, during migration through the lung tissue,
during the stay and activity of adults in the bronchi and aspiration of parasite eggs into bronchioles and alveoli. This is
followed by the toxic effect of metabolic products of the parasite, which after resorption in the blood can lead to general
intoxication. The predilection place of parasites is the posterior parts of the diaphragmatic lobe - margo acutus and margo
obtusus. Affected animals show signs of dyspnoea and frequent vesicular respiration. In addition to the direct pathological
action of metastrongylide, they transmit several diseases of pigs of bacterial and viral etiology. Two species of these
parasites, Metastrongylus elongatus and Metastrongylus pudendotectus, have been identified in Serbia. The prevalence
of both species varies from region to region. In the north of Serbia (Vojvodina), the presence of M. pudendotectus
dominates, while in central and southern Serbia, M. elongatus is much more common. In Serbia, in individual (semiextensive
and extensive) housing, infections are found in 34-52% of animals and in 1-3% of swine in farms.
