Acta Vet. Brno 2016, 85: 121-126
Seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis and influence of some associated risk factors in Northwestern Romania
Cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease that may have a significant impact on the public health. The aim of the current study was to assess the seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Northwestern Romania and the influence of several risk factors such as age, sex and season. The study included 1,288 pigs originating from 7 different counties and was conducted between May 2014 and May 2015. All pigs were reared in the traditional backyard pig system. Of these, 226 were young and 1,062 were adult pigs, 188 were males and 1,100 females. Serum samples were collected. The apDia Cysticercosis Antigen ELISA (apDia, Belgium) commercial kit was used to identify the viable cysticerci of Taenia sp. Out of the 1,288 serum samples, 83 were seropositive (seroprevalence: 6.4%). The risk factors’ analysis showed that age (3.1% juveniles vs 7.1% adults [P < 0.03]) and season (9.3% fall vs 11.8% winter [P <0.00001]; 3.4% spring vs 1.2% summer [P <0.00001]) had a significant influence on the seropositivity, while sex had no significant influence (3.7% males vs 6.9% females, P = 0.1). Considering the genus specificity of ELISA commercial kit, the serology should be correlated with the post mortem examination in order to confirm the disease and have a Cysticercus cellulosae specific prevalence.
Funding
This paper was published within the European Social Fund, Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, project no. POSDRU/159/1.5/136893.
