Porcine cysticercosis: An underestimated zoonotic disease

Infection with Taenia solium, the pig tapeworm is widely prevalent in human and porcine hosts in many developing countries. To study of prevalence and pathology of porcine cysticercosis, animals were examined and sampled at a local slaughterhouse in Bareilly city of Uttar Pradesh state (India). On gross and histopathological examinations, 4 out of 119 (3.36%) pigs slaughtered during the period of study were found positive for porcine cysticercosis. Characteristic cystic lesions were found in the brain, heart, skeletal muscles and tongue. The prevalence of this zoonotic disease in Bareilly region implies increased risk of transmission to human beings and occurrence of neurocysticercosis. Stringent inspection of carcasses at the slaughter point by public health authorities and confinement rearing of pigs needs to be implemented for control of this deadly disease.