Epidemiology and control of porcine cysticercosis in Tanzania
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Date
2005
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
In Study 1 predilection sites for cysticerci of Taenia solium were determined by
calculating relative cyst density for different carcass sites. The psoas muscle was
found to be an important site for localization of cysliccrci in pig carcasses followed
by muscles of Triceps brachii. tongue, internal masseters, external masseters,
diaphragm and heart as important sites for localisation of cystcerci in pigs. Based
on these findings, all of these muscle groups/organs are proposed as predilection
sites of T. solium in Tanzanian pigs and thus their examination should be
mandatory for efficient routine inspection of pig carcasses. Tongue examination
survey results from Chunya and Iringa Rural Districts, (Study II), showed that the
two districts are endemic for porcine cysticercosis with prevalences of 7.6% and
8.4%, respectively. Structured questionnaire interviews identified factors associated
with the disease prevalence in both Chunya and Iringa Rural Districts were free-
ranging of pigs, home slaughtering of pigs and pork not being inspected. While in
Chunya and Iringa Rural Districts lack of latrine and barbecuing were found a risk
factor, respectively. In Study III, conducted in Mgeta Division, ante mortem tongue
examination of 609 pigs and post mortem pork inspection of 124 carcasses found
that they were all negative. These results instigated the interview study of relevant
local parties, the findings of which were, none of the respondents reported having
ever seen any cysts in pork or pigs. Availability, maintenance and use of latrines
was found to be very high throughout Mgeta Division (97.6%) and in every village
pigs are required to be kept totally confined. Health Centre data indicated that there
were no cases of taeniosis, cholera or shigellosis reported during the last five years
(1998 - 2002). There is an urgent need to transfer the important lessons from Mgeta districts such as Chunya and Iringa Rural. In Study IV sensitivity and specificity of
the tongue examination and antigen ELISA [Ag-ELISA] tests were compared in
local Tanzanian pigs and it was observed that Ag-ELISA was more sensitive [3.6
times] than tongue examination and therefore would be more appropriate for
surveillance
in
Tanzanian
pigs.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Porcine cysticercosis, Tanzania