Taeniasis, cysticercosis and echinococcosis/hydatidosis in Nigeria: III — prevalence of bovine and porcine cysticercosis, and hydatid cyst infection based on joint examination of slaughtered food animals

Abstract

AbstractA survey was carried out in the abattoirs in Kano (Sudan zone), Kaduna and Zaria (Northern Guinea zone) and Jos (Bauchi plateau zone) to assess the actual prevalence of bovine and porcine cysticercosis, and of hydatid cyst infections in slaughtered food animals.Hydatid cysts were detected in all species of animals slaughtered at the abattoir in the Sudan zone where the prevalence was: camels (55.5%), cattle (14.70%), sheep (11.4%), goats (26.4%). In the Northern Guinea zone, the prevalence was: camels (50%), cattle (0%), pigs (0%), sheep (0.21%) and goats (0.79%). In the Bauchi plateau zone, sheep were found to harbour hydatid cysts, with a prevalence of 1.4%. In the various animal species, hydatid cysts were detected in the lungs, liver and spleen. Fertility rates of the hydatid cysts from various hosts were as follows: camels 94.5%, cattle 7.4%, goats 81.3%, and sheep 59.7%.Cysticercus bovis was detected in slaughtered cattle from the three zones surveyed. Northern Guinea zone had the highest prevalence (4%), followed by Bauchi plateau zone (2.1%) and Sudan (1.9%). C. bovis was detected in the tongue, masseter muscle, heart, diaphragm and the quarters of infected cattle.C. cellulosae was detected in 18.4% and 1.76% of slaughtered pigs examined in Northern Guinea and Bauchi plateau zones respectively. The cysts were found in the tongue, masseter muscle, heart, diaphragm, thigh and fore-limbs. No pigs were available for examination in the Sudan zone.The data obtained in this survey are believed to be a better indication of the rate of infection in the various animal species than data obtained from previous abattoir records.