Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T02:16:27.471Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Seroprevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae and associated risk factors in free-range pigs in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2010

J.M. Kagira ,
N. Maingi ,
P.W.N. Kanyari ,
S.M. Githigia ,
J.C. Ng'ang'a  and
J.M. Gachohi
J.M. Kagira*
Affiliation:
Trypanosomiasis Research Centre-KARI, PO Box 362, 00625Kikuyu, Kenya
N. Maingi
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
P.W.N. Kanyari
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
S.M. Githigia
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
J.C. Ng'ang'a
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
J.M. Gachohi
Affiliation:
Trypanosomiasis Research Centre-KARI, PO Box 362, 00625Kikuyu, Kenya International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Old Naivasha Rd, Kabete, PO Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
*
*E-mail: jkagira@yahoo.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Porcine cysticercosis is an emerging zoonosis with public health and economic importance. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate the disease in free-range pigs on 182 smallholder farms in Busia District, Kenya. The survey households were selected using a snowballing technique. Serum samples were obtained from 284 pigs of all ages at farm level and 37 pigs from slaughter slabs in the study area. The samples were analysed for the presence of cysticercus antigen using an antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A structured questionnaire was administered to determine the risk factors for porcine cysticercosis on the study farms. At pig level, the total number of pigs testing positive were 11, resulting in a seroprevalence of 4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9–6.2%), while the farms with a positive pig were 9% (95% CI: 3.9–14.1%). All pigs examined in the slaughter slab survey were seronegative. The distribution of possible risk factors for porcine cysticercosis that were observed at farm level was as follows: free-range pig keeping (100%), history of human taeniosis infection in a family (51%), slaughtering of pigs at home (20%), lack of meat inspection (15%) and absence of latrines (15%). The only significant (χ2 = 4.4, P = 0.034, odds ratio (OR) = 3.8) risk factor associated with the occurrence of cysticercosis was lack of latrines at household level. The study shows that porcine cysticercosis is prevalent in free-range pigs in Busia District, Kenya and thus control measures need to be instituted.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 84 , Issue 4 , December 2010 , pp. 398 - 403
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anonymous, (2001) Farming in tsetse controlled areas (FITCA-K): Second annual progress report and financial statement of project activities. March 2000–March 2001. Nairobi, Kenya, Delegation of the European Commission.Google Scholar
Antia, R.E. & Alonge, D.O. (1982) Survey of abattoir data in southern Nigeria. Tropical Animal Health and Production 14, 119–120.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boa, M.E., Bøgh, H.O., Kassuku, A.A. & Nansen, P. (1995) The prevalence of Taenia solium metacestodes in pigs in northern Tanzania. Journal of Helminthology 69, 113–117.Google Scholar
Borneo, J.G. & Garcia, H.H. (2001) Neurocycticercosis. Emedical Journal 3, 1–20.Google Scholar
Copado, F., de Aluja, A., Mayagoitia, L. & Galindo, F. (2004) The behaviour of free ranging pigs in the Mexican tropics and its relationships with human faeces consumption. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 88, 243–252.Google Scholar
Githigia, S.M., Murekefu, K., Willingham, A.L. & Otieno, R. (2006) Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniosis in three divisions of Busia district, Kenya. Bulletin of Animal Health Production in Africa 54, 224–229.Google Scholar
Government of Kenya (2001) Ministry of Health, Busia District Hospital, Annual Report. Nairobi, Kenya, Government of Kenya.Google Scholar
Government of Kenya (2002) Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Animal Production Division, Annual Report. Nairobi, Kenya, Government of Kenya.Google Scholar
Mafojane, N.A., Appleton, C.C., Krecek, R.C., Michael, L.M. & Willingham, A.L. 3rd (2003) The current status of neurocysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa. Acta Tropica 87, 25–33.Google Scholar
Martin, S.W., Meek, A.H., Willeberg, P. (Eds) (1987) Veterinary epidemiology, principles and methods. p. 343. Ames, Iowa, Iowa State University Press.Google Scholar
Morales, J., Velasco, T., Tovar, V., Rodarte, L.F., Sciutto, E. & Larralde, C. (2002) Castration and pregnancy of rural pigs significantly increase the prevalence of naturally acquired Taenia solium cysticercosis. Veterinary Parasitology 108, 41–48.Google Scholar
Mutua, F.K., Randolf, T.F., Kitala, P., Githigia, S.M., Willingham, A.L. & Njeruh, F.M. (2007) Palpable lingual cysts, a possible indicator of porcine cysticercosis, in Teso District, Western Kenya. Journal of Swine Health and Production 15, 206–212.Google Scholar
Ngowi, H.A., Kassuku, A.A., Maeda, G.E., Boa, M.E. & Willingham, A.L. (2004) A slaughter slab survey for extra-intestinal porcine helminth infections in northern Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production 36, 335–340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nguekam, J.P., Zoli, A.P., Vondou, L., Pouedet, S.M.R., Assana, E., Dorny, P., Brandt, J. & Geerts, S. (2003) Kinetics of circulating antigens in pigs experimentally infected with Taenia solium eggs. Veterinary Parasitology 111, 323–332.Google Scholar
Penrith, M.L., Lopes Pereira, C., Lopes da Silva, M.M., Quembo, C., Nhamusso, A. & Banze, J. (2007) African swine fever in Mozambique: review, risk factors and considerations for control. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 74, 149–160.Google Scholar
Permin, A., Yelifari, L., Bloch, P., Steehard, N., Hansen, N.P. & Nansen, P. (1999) Parasites of cross-bred pigs in the upper East region of Ghana. Veterinary Parasitology 87, 63–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pouedet, M.S.R., Zoli, A.P., Nguekam, J.P., Vondou, L., Assana, E., Speybroeck, N., Berkvens, D., Dorny, P., Brandt, J. & Geerts, S. (2002) Epidemiological survey of swine cysticercosis in two rural communities of West-Cameroon. Veterinary Parasitology 106, 45–54.Google Scholar
Sciutto, E., Martínez, J.J., Villalobos, N.M., Hernández, M., José, M.V., Beltrán, C., Rodarte, F., Flores, I., Bobadilla, J.R., Fragoso, G., Parkhouse, M.E., Harrison, L.J. & de Aluja, A.S. (1998) Limitations of current diagnostic procedures for the diagnosis of Taenia solium cysticercosis in rural pigs. Veterinary Parasitology 79, 299–313.Google Scholar
Sikasunge, C.S., Phiri, I.K., Phiri, A.M., Dorny, P., Siziya, S. & Willingham, A.L. 3rd (2006) Risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis in selected districts of Eastern and Southern provinces of Zambia. Veterinary Parasitology 143, 59–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wabacha, J.K. (2001) A study of factors influencing pig health, productivity, and economics of interventions in smallholder pig farms in Kikuyu Division, Kiambu District, Kenya. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Nairobi.Google Scholar
Zoli, A., Shey-Njila, O., Assana, E., Nguekam, J.P., Dorny, P., Brandt, J. & Geerts, S. (2003) Regional status, epidemiology and impact of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Western and Central Africa. Acta Tropica 87, 35–42.Google Scholar