Metastrongylosis

an infection of swine produced by parasitization of the bronchi by nematodes of the genus Metastrongylus.

The parasites develop with the participation, as intermediate hosts, of earthworms; animals become infected upon eating the worms. Six- to eight-month-old shoats are the most often affected. The infected animals cough, are retarded in growth and development, and, in cases of severe infection, may die. Treatment consists of aqueous solutions of iodine, ditrazine, and cyanacetohydrazide. Dehelminthization of the pigs on affected farms and measures taken to prevent the animals from eating the worms are helpful in preventing the infection.