Prevalence of Porcine Cysticercosis in Pigs Slaughtered in Enugu, South East Nigeria

This study determines the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium (Cysticercus cellulosae), in pigs slaughtered at the Enugu State abattoir and selected informal slaughter points in Enugu State, located in Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone. Porcine cysticercosis is the most significant porcine meat safety concern in sub-Saharan Africa because the consumption of infected pork leads to human taeniasis and neurocysticercosis, a leading cause of adult-onset epilepsy. Using a cross-sectional abattoir survey design, the masseter muscles, tongue, heart, and diaphragm of 200 pigs were examined by incision for cysticerci at slaughter over a six-month period. Recovered cysticerci were measured and confirmed by morphological examination. Abattoir condemnation records for the preceding two years were also reviewed for historical data. Findings revealed an overall cysticercosis prevalence of 12.5 percent in formally slaughtered pigs and an estimated prevalence of 19 percent in pigs from informal slaughter points examined opportunistically. Cysticerci were most frequently recovered from masseter muscles (76% of positive cases). Risk factors including free-range management with access to human faeces and absence of anthelmintic treatment were strongly associated with infection. The study recommends confinement of pigs, provision of latrines in pig-keeping communities, routine meat inspection, and community education on the transmission cycle of Taenia solium. Keywords: porcine cysticercosis, Taenia solium, Enugu, meat inspection, public health.