Detection of Blastocystis sp. in pigs in Aragon (Spain)

Infection by Blastocystis sp. has been detected for the first time in pigs in Spain. Detection was carried out by the ethyl acetate-formalin concentration method and direct microscopy. Vacuolated cells of Blastocystis sp. were found in stool samples from 27 of 360 pigs examined (7.5%). The protozoan was present on nine of 17 pig farms studied (53%). Infected pigs ranged from 1 month old to adults, but the organism was most frequent in 1–2 month old (18.4%) and 2–6 month old pigs (15.4%). No correlation was found between Blastocystis sp. infection and occurrence of diarrhoea in pigs.