Current Status of Prevalence, Possible Control and Risk Factors Associated with Porcine Cysticercosis from Endemic Countries in Africa

Abstract

Porcine cysticercosis (PC) caused by Taenia solium larvae is continuing being an important zoonotic neglected disease in many developing countries, is responsible for severe health disorders such as seizures and death in human and it poses a serious public health risk. In general estimated prevalence for porcine cysticercosis by Ag-ELISA was 29.7% (95% CI [4.8 - 58.2]), by EITB was 24.7% (95% CI [9.2 - 38.2]), by Tongue examination was 9.4% (95% CI [0.2 - 13.2]), and by postmortem examination was 15% (95% CI [0.2 - 27.4]). Average seroprevalence of human cysticercosis by circulating antibody detection (Ab-ELISA) was ranged from 1.3% to 45.3%. Average seroprevalence of human cysticercosis by circulating T. solium antigen detection (Ag-ELISA) was ranged from 4.6% to 11.9%. Average seroprevalence of human cysticercosis by EITB was ranged from 6.9% to 16.7%. Average prevalence of human cysticercosis by CT scan was ranged from 23.2% to 54.6%. A fundamental factor in the occurrence of infections in most of the article was lack of health education to the community on T. solium, cysticercosis and taeniasis complex as the key towards control and eradication. The major causal factors of the disease occurrence were free roaming pigs and poor sanitary conditions.