Occurrence of bovine cysticercosis in animals slaughtered in two facilities at Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

Abstract

Bovine cysticercosis results in economic losses to cattle raisers and slaughterhouses and poses health risks to the population. Cysticercosis is caused by Taenia saginata, whose life cycle involves the use of livestock and humans as hosts. The objective of this study was to obtain information on the occurrence of cysticercosis in 2 slaughterhouses in the southern region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil by consulting records on the origin of slaughtered animals and associated diseases, obtained through post-mortem inspection performed by the Brazilian Federal Service of Inspection (SIF) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). The data were presented based on descriptive statistics, and all analyzes were performed in the statistical program “R”. In slaughterhouse “A”, the highest reported rate of cysticercosis was 2.40%, and the municipality with the highest number of cases was Amambai. In slaughterhouse “B”, the highest reported rate was 6.02%, and the municipality with the highest number of cases was Vincentina. For both slaughterhouses, the highest number of cysticercosis cases occurred in January. Together with other studies performed in the same Brazilian state, these data indicate that bovine cysticercosis cases are increased in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, demanding additional effective measures for its control.