Abstract
A survey was conducted at Wambizi slaughterhouse in Kampala City, Uganda, to ascertain the prevalence of Taenia species infection in pigs via serology, as well as the role of meat inspection in control of these parasitic conditions in carcasses of slaughtered pigs. A total of 620 pigs were sampled using simple random selection during three months. Individual pig data including sex, breed, district of origin, antemortem clinical signs and postmortem lesions were recorded. Blood samples were collected for serological assays. A questionnaire was used to capture perceptions of meat inspectors and pig traders on T. solium cysticercosis. Of the 620 pig inspected carcasses, only four were observed with T. solium cysts and none had T. hydatigena cysts. Up to 67 (10.8%) pigs tested positive by B158C11A10/B60H8A4 Ag-ELISA serology. Seroprevalences were significantly different between districts (χ2 = 45.98; p < 0.001) with pigs from the Eastern districts having the highest seroprevalence. The two meat inspectors at the slaughterhouse had knowledge of pork inspection protocol for Taenia spp. infections, although they did not follow it properly because of the high number of carcasses to be inspected daily. All the 15 traders interviewed had heard about porcine cysticercosis but only five had ever seen cystic pork. T. solium cysticercosis is still prevailing in pigs in Uganda. Meat inspection is not a reliable diagnostic tool for efficient detection of T. solium cysticercosis.
Highlights
Pigs play a key role in maintaining the transmission cycle of some zoonotic parasitic infections such as Taenia solium infection or cysticercosis (Thomas et al, 2016)
The tremendous growth of the pig industry reportedly resulting from the increased demand for pork with consumption up to 3.4 kg/person/year in Uganda could be threatened by the occurrence of T. solium cysticercosis (FAOSTAT, 2014)
This study provides evidence that Taenia solium cysticercosis is endemic in Uganda
Summary
Pigs play a key role in maintaining the transmission cycle of some zoonotic parasitic infections such as Taenia solium infection or cysticercosis (Thomas et al, 2016). The importance of cysticercosis led to its inclusion on the World Health Organisation roadmap for the control of neglected tropical diseases (Murrell et al, 2005). This condition has high public health and economic implications which have undermined growth of the pig industry where detection and strict condemnation of infected carcasses are implemented (Ngowi et al, 2010). The tremendous growth of the pig industry reportedly resulting from the increased demand for pork with consumption up to 3.4 kg/person/year in Uganda could be threatened by the occurrence of T. solium cysticercosis (FAOSTAT, 2014). 1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. 2. International Livestock Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
