The prevalence of Taenia saginata cysticercosis in the Matabeleland Provinces of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Records were collected for Taenia saginata cysticercosis infections in cattle slaughtered at the Cold Storage Company Abattoir in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, between January 2006 and December 2007. The cattle were drawn from the two Matabeleland provinces in the dry western and southern parts of the country. A total of 86,080 cattle were slaughtered during the period. The average prevalence of T. saginata cysticercosis was found to be 1.6% (n = 1 364) with Matabeleland North having a higher prevalence of 2.8% (n = 629) and Matabeleland South 1.2% (n = 735). There were no significant seasonal differences (p > 0.05) in incidences of T. saginata cysticercosis during the study although numerically, the prevalence of T. saginata cysticercosis was higher in the wet season. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of T. saginata cysticercosis in different age classes of cattle slaughtered. Of the infected carcasses, a great proportion of these had live cysts (1.4%) while few had dead cysts (0.2%). Most of the cattle condemned were below the age of 2 years and some were full adults (p < 0.05). There was a significant association between farm type (p < 0.05) and prevalence of T. saginata cysticercosis with most infections being observed in the communal farming system. Though the prevalence of T. saginata cysticercosis appears to be low, there is a need to conscientize the farmers to avoid losses due to carcasses condemnation at slaughter houses which will have a negative financial impact to the individual farmer. There is also a need to investigate such cases even further to reduce zoonotic consequences due to the undetected cases in communal areas.

Disparities in Beef Tapeworm Identification Rates in the Abattoirs of Gauteng Province, South Africa: A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study

“…Contrary to the findings of a study by Sungirai et al (2014), who reported a significantly higher prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in cattle from communal farmers compared to feedlots [ 13 ], this study found significantly higher identification rates in carcasses of cattle from feedlots as compared to those sourced from non-feedlot sources. The findings of the current study is consistent with those of other studies that have reported that animals raised on feedlots farms are more likely to be exposed to point source contamination such as sewage, feed and water [ 24 , 25 ].…”

“…The significantly lower proportions of cases of bovine cysticercosis observed during the summer months (November to March) was in contrast to reports by Sungirai et al (2014) and Dzoma et al (2011) who did not observe seasonal differences in the occurrence of bovine cysticercosis cases in Zimbabwe and North West Province of South Africa respectively [ 13 , 18 ]. The reason for the lower identification rates observed in the summer is unclear and will require further investigations.…”

“…The overall cysticercosis identification rates was generally low (0.7%), although higher than the 0.2% reported in an earlier study done in the North West Province of South Africa in 2011 [ 18 ]. However, it was lower than the 1.6% reported in Matabeleland Province of Zimbabwe [ 13 ]. Due to the low sensitivity of meat inspection, as has been reported in other studies [ 8 , 9 , 20 , 21 ], it is possible that results reported here are an underestimation of the true proportion of the cysticercosis positive carcasses.…”

“…However, if the infestation is localised, the carcass could be partially passed on condition that it is treated by freezing at temperatures not exceeding −10°C for more than 14 days [ 10 , 11 ]. The implication of this, is serious financial losses that occurs due to either carcass condemnation or costs of cold treatment and downgrading of affected carcasses [ 2 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Identification of risk areas and practices for Taenia saginata taeniosis/cysticercosis in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The risk factor analysis showed no significant difference between the sex and age of slaughtered animals with the prevalence of BCC, which is also reported elsewhere [140,141]. However, reports from some EU countries show significant associations of BCC with age [137], with higher odds in female, older cows [142] and a significant age-sex interaction [143].…”