Porcine cysticercosis in Angonia district, North-Western Mozambique: epidemiology and evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of oxfendazole treatment
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Date
2010
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A research was conducted to investigate the epidemiology of porcine cysticercosis in
Angonia district, Mozambique, and to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of
oxfendazole (OFZ) for the treatment of porcine cysticercosis. Prevalence and risk factors
associated with porcine cysticercosis were determined in a cross-sectional survey
conducted in 11 randomly selected villages. Out of 661
pigs screened, porcine
cysticercosis was diagnosed in 12.7% and 34.9% by lingual examination and Ag-ELISA,
respectively. Increasing age (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.37) and free-range pig
husbandry system (OR = 3.81; 95% CI: 2.08, 7.06) were significant risk factors associated
with the disease. The incidence of porcine cysticercosis was determined in a study
conducted in 4 endemic villages. A total of 108 piglets were tested repeatedly for porcine
cysticercosis (by Ag-ELISA) at 4, 9 and 12 months of age. The incidence rate of porcine
cysticercosis increased significantly from 3.8 cases per 100 pig-months in the first period
(between 4 and 9 months of age) to 19.3 cases per 100 pig-months in the second period
(between 9 and 12 months of age). The effectiveness and efficiency of 30mg/kg dose of
OFZ for the treatment of porcine cysticercosis were evaluated in a randomized control
trial that involved 216 piglets. Fifty four piglets were treated at 4 months of age (OFZ-T1),
other 54 piglets treated at 9 months (OFZ-T2) and matched with 108 controls. Baseline
prevalence (by Ag-ELISA) was similar among the study groups. At 12 months of age,
infections were found in 66.7% controls, 21.4% OFZ-T1 and 9.1% of the OFZ-T2 pigs.
There was a significant risk reduction for cysticercosis if pigs were treated either at 4
months (OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.34) or 9 months of age (OR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01,
0.15). Treating pigs with OFZ resulted in positive incremental net benefits. Porcine
cysticercosis is endemic in Angonia district. Oxfendazole treatment is cost-effective, and
combined with health education programs would have a significant contribution to the
control of Taenia solium transmission. Further studies are needed to fine-tune the use of
OFZ into a more practical field control tool for porcine cysticercosis.
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Keywords
Porcine cysticercosis, Angonia district, North-Western Mozambique, Oxfendazole treatment