Prevalence and risk factors of porcine cysticercosis in Kitgum District, Northern Uganda

Abstract

Cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium (T. solium) is a neglected zoonotic disease with serious public health implications. It is caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, T. solium. Pigs are intermediate hosts of the worm, existing as cysticerci in their active muscles. Humans being both definitive and intermediate hosts, they are affected with two diseases Taeniasis (infection with the adult tapeworm) and Cysticercosis (infection with the cysticerci). Significantly, T. solium has economically constrained farmers and traders due to losses encountered due to carcasses being condemned at slaughter of infected pigs. Furthermore, the larval stage of the tapeworm has been reported to be the major cause of epileptic cases among humans in Uganda. This was the first cross sectional study conducted in Kitgum, where serum was collected from 251 pigs in 180 households. Serology was run on the later using apDIA Cysticercosis antigen ELISA kit, a relatively high apparent prevalence of PCC, 26.3% (95% CI: 21.1–31.9%) was obtained. By logistic regression using R statistical package, protective risk factors significantly associated with PCC were not having freely roaming pigs in households (P=0.020), not feeding pigs on brewer waste obtained for free from brewers (p=0.044), the risk factor was lack of knowledge about pork cysts (P =0.007). There were 76% higher odds of pigs being infected with PCC when fed on free feeds from the brewer, 203% higher odds of getting PCC among pigs of respondents who had no knowledge of pork cysts and finally households with free roaming pigs had 58% higher odds of getting PCC. 5 seropositive pigs were procured at prevailing market prices from consenting farmers for full carcass dissection and were all found with cysts in their muscles. From the findings, there is need to train meat inspectors and ensure all carcasses are inspected at slaughter, deworming of humans should be emphasized to break the cycle of the parasite.