Prevalence and morphometric studies on porcine cysticercosis in Adamawa State, Nigeria

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Prevalence and morphometric studies on porcine cysticercosis in Adamawa State, Nigeria

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Abstract

Porcine cysticercosis is emerging as a serious agricultural and public health problem in African countries. A study on the prevalence and morphometric of porcine cysticercosis was conducted at post mortem using palpation and incision technique of routine meat inspection. Out of the 247 slaughter pigs examined at post mortem, 8(3.2%) were infected and of this number 5(2.7%) were males and 3(5.1%) were females. Infection was more common in the Hampshire breed 7(3.5%), than the black Ashanti 1(3.3%). The Landrace breed had no infection. A total of 760 cysts were removed from infected animals. Out of this number, 261(34.3%) were removed from the shoulder muscle, 189 (24.9%) from the masseters, 176 (23.2%) from the tongue and 134 (17.3%) were removed from the heart respectively. 5 (0.65%) of the cyst were matured and 755 (99.34%) were immature. A total of 632 (83.2%) were viable while 128 (16.8%) were non-viable. Cyst morphometry indicated an overall mean ± SD (range) of 8.8±1.0(5-12) by 5.4±1.1(3-7) mm. Cysts from the shoulder had a mean ± SD (range) (length x breadth in mm) of 7.6±8.7(5-11) by 4.4±8.8(3-6) while those from the masseters were 7.8±6.9(6-12) by 4.7 ± 3.8 (4-6), tongue 8.7 ± 2.9 (6-12) by 5.7±2.6(4-6), and heart 8.6±3.5(5-12) by 5.3±3.7(3-7).cysticercosis

The mean ±SD (range) number of hooks counted was 4.4±0.4 (4-6). This study has confirmed the presence of Cysticercus cellulosae and its morphological characteristics, which are useful aids in providing diagnostic and public health alerts. Keywords: cysticercosis, morphometry, nigeria, porcine, prevalence. Introduction Porcine cysticercosis is an emerging agricultural and public health problem (Waiswa et al., 2009). The domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) acts as the normal intermediate host of Taenia solium while man the definitive host (Cox 2002; Wadia & Singh, 2002). Pigs harbor Cysticercus cellulosae, the larval stage of T. solium. Pigs acquire the infection when they ingest Taenia solium eggs through the contamination of their food or water with human excreta. Man acquires infection by consuming raw or undercooked pork, which is among the most popular meat consumed in the world accounting for 44% of the world meat protein consumption (Githigia et al., 2006). Nigeria has a total of about 3.5 x106 pigs (Bourn et al., 1994) and this represents 4% of the total domestic livestock. Pigs have a unique ability to adapt and survive in areas where they are found, and are a potential protein deficit gap-filler, investment alternative and source of additional income among the human populace especially women (Ajala et al., 2006; Ajala et al., 2007).cysticercosis

Cysticercosis is however a limiting factor of porcine husbandary in areas where this animals are raised especially in many developing countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia (Sarti et al., 1992; Geerts et al., 2002; Ikeh & Iweka, 2009). It is also estimated that over 10 million people are exposed to this larval worm which frequently cause neurocysticercosis and epileptic seizures among those affected (White Jr., 2000). There is inadequate information on porcine cysticercosis in the study area where pig husbandry is of free range with poor environmental and personal sanitation. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and morphological characteristics of Cysticercus cellulosae. Materials and methods This study was conducted at the pig abattoir in Michika township, Adamawa State, Nigeria. A total of 247 pigs were inspected randomly at post mortem using palpation and incision techniques Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences, Volume 10 (Number 1). June, 2012 SHORT COMMUNICATION Page 29 of 42 (SJVS, Vol. 10 no 1) during routine meat inspection. The tongue, masseters, heart and diaphragm were palpated and incised and visually inspected for presence of cysts. Cysts were classified as viable based on fluid transparency and visible scolex), dead (bluish green caseous masses) or necrotic (dark patches) as described by Thornton & Gracey (1976). Prevalence of cysts was recorded as percentage based on sex, age and breed of pigs, while the length and breadth of each cyst in millimeters recorded as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Results Table 1 shows the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis based on sex, predilection site and breed of pigs. Out of 247 pig carcasses examined 8(3.2%) were infected representing 5(2.7%) in males and 3(5.1%) in females (p>0.05).cysticercosis

The shoulder and masseters muscles were more commonly infected than the tongue or heart muscles. The Hampshire breed had the highest prevalence of 7(3.5%) compared with black Ashanti 1(3.3%) and Landrace 0(0.0%). Table 2 shows the frequency of cyst recovery from organs, their age and viability. Out of 760 cysts recovered during the study, 261(34.3%) were collected from the shoulders, 189(24.9%) from the masseters, 176(23.2%) from the tongue and 134(17.3%) from the heart. Majority of the cysts were immature and viable. The morphometry of the cysts collected are presented in Table 3. Table 1: Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis based on sex, predilection site, breed, and management system Parameter Number examined Number infected (%) Overall 247 8(3.2) Sex: Male 188 5(2.7) Female 59 3(5.1) Predilection site: Shoulder muscle 247 3(1.2) Masseters 247 3(1.2) Tongue 247 1(0.4) Heart 247 1(0.4) Breed: Black Ashanti 30 1(3.3) Haampshire 201 7(3.5) Landrace 16 0(0.0) Table 2: Distribution of cysts based on organs examined, nature and form Parameter Number (%) of Cysts Collected (n=760) Mean ± SD (range) Predilection site: Shoulder muscle 261(34.3) 86.7 ±1.5 (72-106) Masseters 189(24.9) 63 ± 4.8 (42-94) Tongue 176(23.2) – Heart 134(17.3) – Form: Mature 5(0.65) 2.5±1.3 (1-4) Immature 755(99.34) 151 ±16.0 (82-176) Viability Viable (alive) 632(83.2) 90.28 ±10.4 (82-150) Non-viable (dead) 128(16.8) 21.3 ±7.0 (5-42) Table 3: Cyst Morphometry Parameter Mean ± Standard Deviation (range) in mm Length 8.8±1.0 (5-12) Breadth 5.4±1.1 (3-7) Number of hooks 4.4±0.4 (4-6) Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences, Volume 10 (Number 1). June, 2012 Page 30 of 42 (SJVS, Vol. 10 no 1) Discussion This study has revealed 3.2% prevalence for porcine cysticercosis in Michika North-eastern Nigeria. Previously, a prevalence of 5.5% was reported in Southern Nigeria by Ikeh & Iweka. (2009) who attributed it to free range method of pig husbandry which facilitates access by pigs to infectious material. Infection with Taenia solium is important in areas with low socio-economic development, poor and inadequate sanitary facilities, and where pigs run loose scavenging for food, and with a ready access to human faecal material (Soulsby, 1982). Cysts were mostly recovered from the shoulder muscles, masseters, tongue and heart which agrees with previous reports (Soulsby, 1982; Sciutto et al., 1998). As observed in this study, the cysts were most common in the shoulder and masseter muscles than the tongue and heart muscles.cysticercosis

This agrees with the reports of Boa et al., (2001) who examined 24 pigs in Tanzania and reported a higher prevalence of cysts in the shoulder muscles (24.5%) and the masseters (8.1%) than either the tongue (7.0%) or heart (3.6%) muscles. The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in male pigs was 2.7% and 5.1% in females. This finding though not significant contradicts the findings of Garcia et al., (2003) in Peru where males had higher prevalence (38.1%) than females (34.4%). Also, this study has revealed a higher (p>0.05) prevalence of 7(3.5%) in Hampshire pigs than 1(3.3%) in black Ashanti and 0(0%) in Landrace compared with the findings in Mozambique by Pondja et al., (2010) who observed a prevalence of 12.7% in black Ashanti with no separate record for Hampshire and Landrace. So far there is no clear reason as to variations among sex or breed but infection in pigs is a function of both human contamination of the environment and pig proximity to a human Taenia solium carrier (Waiswa et al., 2009). A mean (range) of 8.8±1.0mm (5-12) length and 5.4±1.1mm (3-7) breadth was observed for the mature cysticerci collected which agrees with the findings of Markell et al, (1999) who observed that the length of Cysticercus cellulosae was between 6- 18mm, but smaller than 20 x 10mm reported by Soulsby (1982) for a fully developed cysticercus. Also a mean of 4.4±0.4 hooks with a range of 4-6 were counted. A total of 760 cysticerci were recovered from the 247 pigs examined in this study. Soulsby (1982) reported that pigs may acquire massive infection, because the gravid segments of T. solium, unlike those of Taenia saginata are not active and may remain in and about the faeces resulting into a very high concentration of eggs. The majority of cysts recovered in this study were immature and viable. This agrees with the observations of Soulsby (1982) that though the longevity of cysticerci is not known, the young age at which pigs are slaughtered means that the majority of cysts in pork would be viable, but where caseation or calcification occurs the cysticerci are no longer viable. References Ajala MK, Adesehinwa AOK & Bawa GS (2006). Socio economic factors influencing swine management practices among women in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Tropical & Subtropical Agroecosystem. 6: 43-48. Ajala MK, Adesehinwa AOK &Mohammed AK (2007). Characteristics of small holder pig production in Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. American –Eurasian Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, 2(2):182-188. Boa ME, Kasuku A, Willingham AL, Keyyu JD & Nansen P (2002). Distribution and density of cysticerci of Taenia solium by muscle groups and organs in naturally infected local finished pigs in Tanzania. Veterinary Parasitology, 106(2&3):155-164. Bourn D, Wint W, Blench R &Woolley E (1994). Nigerian Livestock Resources Survey, World Animal Review, 78(1):49-58. Cox FEG (2002). History of human parasitology. Clinical Microbiology. Review. 15(4): 595- 612. Garcia HH, Gonzalez AE, Evans CA &Gilman RH (2003). Cysticercosis working group in Peru. Taenia solium cysticercosis. Lancet, 362:547-556. Geerts S, Zoli A, Willingham AL, Brandt J, Dorny P &Preux PM (2002). Taenia solium cysticercosis in Africa: An under recognized problem. In: Graig P &Pawlowski Z (editors). Cestode zoonoses; Echnococcus and cysticercosis: An emergent and global problem. IOS Amsterdam Press, Pp 13-23. Githigia SM, Murekefu K, Willingham AL & Otieno RO (2006). Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniosis in three divisions of Busia district, Kenya. Bulletin of Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences, Volume 10 (Number 1). June, 2012 Page 31 of 42 (SJVS, Vol. 10 no 1) Animal Health & Production in Africa 54:224-229. Ikeh E & Iweka RP (2009). Sero- prevalence of cysticercosis and intestinal parasitism in pigs in Jos Metropolis. Journal of Animal & Veterinary Advances, 8(5): 883-887. Markell EK, John DT & Krotosk WA (1999). Medical Parasitology (8th edition). Pennsylvania, Saunders Pp 19-23. Pondja A, Neves L &Mlangwa J (2010). Prevalence and risk factors of porcine cysticercosis in Angonia district, Mozambique. Plos Neglected Tropical Disease, 4(2):594. Sarti E, Placarte A, Schantz PM, Wilson GH &Flisser AR (1992). Prevalence and risk factors for Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. American Journal of Tropical Medical Hygiene. 46:677-685. Sciutto E, Hernandez M, Garcia G, De Aluja AS &Villalobos ANM (1998). Diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis. A comparative study of serological tests for detection of circulating antibody and viable parasites. Veterinary Parasitology, 78:185-194. Soulsby EJL (1982). Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals. (7th edition). Bailliere Tindall London. Pp 111- 113. Thornton H & Gracey JF (1974). Textbook of Meat Hygiene (6 th edition). ELBS and Bailliere Tindall Pp 341-345. Wadia NH & Singh G (2002). Taenia solium, a historical note. In: Taenia solium cysticercosis from basic to clinical science (Singh G & Prabhakar S, editors). CABI Publications, Pp 157-168. Waiswa C, Fèvre EM, Nsadha Z, Sikasunge CS &Willingham AL (2009). Porcine cysticercosis in Southeast Uganda: Seroprevalence in Kamuli and Kaliro Districts. Journal of Parasitology Research. 3(23):1-5. White Jr. AC (2000). Neurocysticercosis: Updates on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Annual Review in Medicine, 51:187-206.

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