A systematic review of gastrointestinal parasites in Sus scrofa domesticus from Europe (2010 – 2026)

Introduction Gastrointestinal parasitic infections remain an important concern in European pig production due to their potential impact on animal health, productivity, and, in the case of zoonotic species, public health. This systematic review investigated the occurrence of gastrointestinal helminths and enteric protists in domestic pigs across Europe and analysed the factors associated with their prevalence. Methods A total of 28 studies published between 2010 and 2026 were included, identified through a structured search strategy conducted in three scientific databases. Results The included studies reported a wide diversity of helminths and enteric protists in pigs raised under intensive, extensive, organic, and alternative production systems. Among helminths, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis , and Oesophagostomum spp. were the most frequently identified species, whereas Balantioides coli, Cryptosporidium spp., Cystoisospora suis , and Blastocystis sp. represented the main enteric protists reported. Discussion Overall, gastrointestinal parasites and enteric protists remain widely distributed in domestic pigs across Europe, with prevalence influenced by production system, management practices, host age, and diagnostic methodology. The identification of species with zoonotic potential also underlines the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance within the One Health framework.