Prevalence and risk factors of porcine cysticercosis associated with traditional pig production and marketing in Angonia district, Mozambique

This study was carried out to estimate the porcine cysticercosis prevalence by meat inspection, identify the risk factors of porcine cysticercosis along the pig/pork marketing channels and describe the pig productions systems. Data for prevalence were obtained using census of all pig carcasses going through the meat inspection point over a 3-months period. A ledger was used to register information regarding all cysticercosis post mortem inspection findings. The meat inspection was evaluated by total dissection of 30 inspected carcasses. Questionnaire survey was used to access the production systems, risk factors and marketing chains. Out of 205 inspected carcasses, 11 were positive for porcine cysticercosis, giving a prevalence of 5.4% (CI 3.0% to 9.3%). Evaluation of routine meat inspection by dissection of randomly purchased inspected carcasses, revealed a prevalence of 26.7 % (CI 11.0% to 42.3%). Although there was good agreement between findings of meat inspection and dissection (Kappa 73.4%), the difference was attributed to laxity in adherence to inspection procedure. Predilection sites in order of magnitude for cysticerci in pigs were gluteus, Triceps brachii, psoas, masseter, diaphragm, heart, brain, and tongue muscles. Investigation of pig/pork marketing revealed short chains in which pigs/pork passes through few market participants or succession of markets before reaching the consumers. Potential risk factors for porcine cysticercosis along the chains were identified as poor pig management, complete lack of and improper pork inspection, pork consumption, and ignorance about the mode of transmission of Taenia solium/cysticercosis among the key players in the trade. Pigs were only housed when crops were in the fields; after harvest were allowed to graze freely. Animals were fed on kitchen leftovers, pasture, sweat potato leaves, and maize bran. Meat inspection and meat dissection findings confirm that porcine cysticercosis is common in Angónia district and is potentially a serious health problem to pigs and humans