Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in cattle slaughtered at Debre brihan abattoir from December 2016 to April 2017. To assess bovine cysticercosis and to estimate the prevalence of Taenia saginata human infection in and around Debre brihan town, central Ethiopia Patients’ demographic data and the results of stool examinations conducted by using the formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique were collected from records at Debre brihan referral hospital. The relevant laboratory records from January 2013 to December 2017 were analyzed. Of the total 405 examined carcasses, 22 (5.43%) were found infected with various number of Cysticercus bovis in different organs. Organ distribution of the cysts showed highest proportion was observed in tongue, 7(31.81%) followed by heart 6 (27.27%) in shoulder and masseter muscles 4(18.18%) and 1 (4.54%) in liver. Significantly higher (P=0.02) proportion of counted cysts, 19(61.3%) were viable while other 12 (38.7%) were degenerated. The prevalence of C. bovis was significantly different (P<0.05) with in age categories and body condition of the slaughtered cattle. Of the total 2484 suspected patients, 97(3.9%) were stool positive for Taenia saginata eggs. The highest prevalence was 4.3% (OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.41-1.84) in the year 2013. The prevalence gradually decreased to 3.6%(95%CI:0.47-2.4) in 2015 and slightly raised without significant difference to 3.9% and 3.7% in 2016 and 2017.The prevalence rate of taeniasis was significantly higher in male patients (4.54%, OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.08-2.53) than in females (3.32%). The results obtained in this study shows the need for integrated community based control strategies such as continuous public education and improved standards of human hygiene together with restriction of backyard slaughtering of cattle are recommended in the study areas.
Highlights
Taeniasis and cysticercosis are meat borne parasitic infection with public health and economic importance globally [1]
Out of the total 405 selected cattle passed for slaughter and inspected at Debre Brihan municipal abattoir, a total of 22 (5.43%) animals were infected with various number of Cysticercus bovis in different organs (Table 1)
Higher prevalence of C. bovis compared to the current finding was reported in different abattoirs of the country by Abuna et al [17], 26.25% at Hawassa abattoir; 18.49% by Kebede [18] in northwest Ethiopia; 17.5% by Hailu [26] in east Shoa zone of the country, similar higher prevalence of 26% was reported by Opera et al [27] in Nigeria
Summary
Taeniasis and cysticercosis are meat borne parasitic infection with public health and economic importance globally [1]. Taeniasis is the intestinal infection of humans, by the adult stage of the cestodes of the genus Taenia. The principal cestodes which are important to cause taeniasis in human, who act as the natural final hosts of those tapeworms, are Taenia solium, Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica. The primary risk factor that sustains the transmission of the disease being unsanitary disposal of human faeces, and eating raw or insufficiently cooked beef or pork [1]. Cysticercosis is tissue infection of the intermediate hosts of tape worms caused by ingestion of Taenia eggs. Cattle serve as intermediate host for T. saginata and the cysticerci develop only in beef, while those of T. solium and T. asiatica in pig visceral organs [2]
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