Abstract
Background & methodsTaenia solium a zoonotic tapeworm, responsible for neurocysticercosis in humans is a major public health threat, being a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions. Eastern and southern African nations have experienced a recent rapid growth in pig production, including small-scale, free-range systems, with an accompanying increased risk of T. solium transmission. Seven hundred blood samples were collected from randomly selected pigs presented for slaughter at one of the largest porcine abattoir supplying unprocessed pork to Nairobi city and its surroundings. The samples were tested using an antigen ELISA to determine the prevalence of infection with Taenia spp. ResultsThe prevalence, adjusted for diagnostic test characteristics, was estimated to be 4.4% (95% CI: 1.9–7.1) with no significant statistical difference by pig sex or age. Infection with Taenia spp. was detected in pigs from all regions of the country supplying pigs to this slaughterhouse. Official post-mortem inspection did not detect cysticercosis in the duration of the study. Therefore, all the carcasses entered the food chains of Nairobi (70%), or neighboring counties (30%). ConclusionsCirculating antigens of Taenia spp. were detected in pigs slaughtered in one of the largest porcine slaughterhouses in Kenya, which receives pigs from several regions in the country. This is an indication that pigs entering the value chain are raised under poor husbandry conditions and that pork consumers in Nairobi and its surroundings may be exposed to the important zoonotic parasite. Whilst further research utilizing full carcass dissection is required to confirm T. solium positive cases, interventions to improve food-safety throughout the pork value chains in Kenya should be seriously considered.
Highlights
Taenia solium, a zoonotic tapeworm, the etiological agent of neurocysticercosis, has the greatest burden of any foodborne parasite and is considered one of the neglected tropical diseases (Torgerson and Macpherson, 2011; Diseases, U.t.C.N.T., 2012)
Human cysticercosis and taeniosis have all been previously reported in Kenya (Eshitera et al, 2012; Fèvre et al, 2017; Thomas et al, 2015; Wardrop et al, 2015) and cysticercosis has been identified as a priority zoonoses in this country (Munyua et al, 2016)
Sixty-one pig samples tested positive for Taenia spp. by Ag-ELISA with an estimated true prevalence of 4.4%
Summary
A zoonotic tapeworm, the etiological agent of neurocysticercosis, has the greatest burden of any foodborne parasite and is considered one of the neglected tropical diseases (Torgerson and Macpherson, 2011; Diseases, U.t.C.N.T., 2012). It is endemic in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where poor sanitation and close human and pig interaction is common (Carabin et al, 2017). The second major source of pork products is through two large independent pig abattoirs. Seven hundred blood samples were collected from randomly selected pigs presented for slaughter at one of the largest porcine abattoir supplying unprocessed pork to Nairobi city and its surroundings. The samples were tested using an antigen ELISA to determine the prevalence of infection with Taenia spp
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