The prevalence and risk factors of porcine cysticercosis in Zambia

Abstract

. The objectives of these studies were to determine the prevalence and importance of porcine cysticercosis in Zambia. Lingual examination of live pigs and visual inspection of their carcass as well as blood sampling for measuring circulating parasite antigen by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) were used as parameters to determine infection. During the field surveys a questionnaire was also administered to every household whose pigs were examined to obtain information on husbandry practices and study risk factors associated with the infection. A total of 1416 free-range pigs were examined at slaughter slabs in Lusaka and 950 pigs have been examined in field surveys in Southern and Eastern provinces. Four hundred and seventy three farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire. The abattoir surveys indicate prevalence of 11% by tongue examination and 54.8% by Ag-ELISA. The field surveys showed 15.8% positive by lingual examination and 28% were found to be positive by Ag-ELISA. It is clear from the 473 farmers interviewed that most risk factors for transmission and sustainability of pork tapeworm are available. These include free ranging, lacked latrines, pork consumption, pigs home slaughtered without inspection and eating cysticerci-infected pork. These studies indicate that the pork tapeworm is a serious agricultural problem and poses a substantial public health hazard to the population especially in rural Zambia.