Evaluation of the impact of a control program against taeniasis-cysticercosis (Taenia solium)

• Published in: Salud pública de México Vol. 56; no. 3; pp. 259 - 265
• Main Authors: de Aluja, Aline S, Suárez-Marín, Raúl, Sciutto-Conde, Edda, Morales-Soto, Julio, Martínez-Maya, José Juan, Villalobos, Nelly
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish; English
• Published: Mexico Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Animals; cerdos; cisticercosis; Cysticercosis - prevention & control; Cysticercosis - veterinary; diagnóstico; educación; Health Education; Program Evaluation; Swine; Swine Diseases - parasitology; Swine Diseases - prevention & control; taenia solium; Taeniasis - prevention & control; Taeniasis - veterinary; Vaccines
• ISSN: 0036-3634; 1606-7916
• DOI: 10.21149/spm.v56i3.7343

The impact of a control program is evaluated to eventually eradicate taeniasis-cysticercosis (Taenia solium) based on education and vaccination of pigs. The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was estimated using tongue inspection, ultrasound and determination of antibodies, before and three years after the application in three regions of the state of Guerrero. A significant reduction in the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis of 7 to 0.5% and 3.6 to 0.3% estimated by tongue examination or ultrasound respectively (p<0.01) and a no significant decrease in seroprevalence from 17.7 to 13.3% were observed. The reduction of the prevalence of taeniasis-cysticercosis establishes the program's effectiveness in preventing infection. The sustained presence of antibodies, compatible with contact of Taenia solium or other related helminths, underlines the importance of maintaining interventions to achieve eradication.