Prevalence of Cysticercus bovis by gender, category and level of infection in Cattle slaughtered in southern Chile

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus bovis in cattles laughtered in southern Chile. Data from 198260 bovines slaughtered in three large slaughter plants(PFCs) in southern Chile, from January to December 2010 were used. The animals were inspected post mortem according to official procedures in Chile, where mandatory inspection sites are: heart, tongue, masseter, oesophagus, diaphragm and superficial observation of the carcass. A total of 1158 (0.58%) animals were diagnosed positiveto C.bovis. Of the positive cases 98.45% were infected with the slight form (up to 4 cysts); the carcasses of these bovines were sent to sanitation before being used for human consumption. Only 1.55% of the positive cases corresponded to amassive infection (more than 4 cysts); these carcasses were condemned and not suitable for human consumption according to the official inspection procedure in Chile. The prevalence of C.bovis was higher in oxen and cows, hence higher in older cattle. In females the infection was more prevalent than in males. The occurrence of cysticercosis was observed in all months of the year. In conclusion, the prevalence of cysticercosis PFCs varied according to gender, class and level of infection.

Keywords

• Cysticercus bovis
• prevelence
• slaughtered cattle