Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Bareilly, Northern India

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs slaughtered at makeshift houses in Bareilly, Northern India. Materials and Methods: Local makeshift slaughter houses were visited weekly in Bareilly to explore the prevalence of the porcine cysticercosis in this area. 175 pigs were screened for cysticercosis and prevalence was correlated to age, sex and breed of pigs. Results: A total of 175 pigs were examined for cysticercosis out of which 9 (5.14%) were found positive for porcine cysticercosis. Sex-wise prevalence of this infection in male and female was recorded as 4.82% (4/83) and 5.43% (5/92), respectively. The infection was higher (5.34%) in the young age group of 1-12 months as compared to the older stocks of 13-24 months of age group (4.54%). Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was relatively higher in cross bred pigs (5.88%, 6/102) than in the non-descript local breed of pigs (4.11%, 3/73). Conclusion: The present study reveals that T. solium cysticerci infection is prevalent in swine population of Bareilly. Keeping in view the zoonotic importance, strict hygienic measures need to be undertaken for prevention of human infection.

Keywords

• cysticercosis
• Cysticercus cellulosae
• pigs
• Taenia solium.