Abstract
Bovine cysticercosis, caused by Taenia saginata metacestodes, is the cause of significant economic losses to the meat production chain by condemnation and downgrading of infected carcasses. It is also a public health issue causing human taeniasis. This study evaluated the occurrence of bovine cysticercosis at the meat inspection procedures in slaughterhouses of south and north regions of the Tocantins State in Brazil. Specimens identified as cysts of T. saginata were collected and analyzed by molecular (PCR) and histopathological techniques. The cysts were collected from March to December of 2010 in slaughterhouses located in the cities of Alvorada (South) and Araguaína (North). The frequency of cystic lesions during the study was 0.033% (53/164,091) with 69.81% of calcified lesions and 30.9% of live cysts at meat inspection. From 14 samples submitted to molecular analysis, 28.57% (4/14) were positive for T. saginata. The histopathological analysis of the non-T. saginata samples showed lesions suggestive of granuloma and hydatid disease. The results indicated that the identification of the etiological agent is difficult by macroscopic inspection, emphasizing the need to associate specific diagnostic methods at meat inspection in abattoirs. In addition, species-specific PCR would be an effective tool for diagnosis, monitoring, and identifying cysticercosis, assisting the conventional tests.
Highlights
Brazil has the second largest cattle herd in the world with about 209 million heads, the second largest producer and exporter of beef [1]
The total frequency of the bovine viable and calcified cysticercosis referring to the period is shown
The results found in this study showed a low frequency of bovine cysticercosis when compared with by Marques
Summary
Brazil has the second largest cattle herd in the world with about 209 million heads, the second largest producer and exporter of beef [1]. The quality of the meat produced in the Tocantins made the state a main producer of beef for Brazilian and international markets, reaching more than 20 Countries in Europe and Asia [3]. Bovine cysticercosis caused by Taenia saginata is an important cattle disease, causing economic losses to the meat production chain due to the condemnation and downgrading of infected carcasses [4]. This cestode causing taeniasis in humans is a health issue, especially in regions with
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