Prevalence and pathology of cysticercosis in slaughtered pigs of Rohilkhand region

Altogether 185 pig carcasses from privately run slaughter slabs of Rohilkhand region were screened to ascertain the prevalence of cysticercosis. Out of them, 14 cases (7.56%) were found to be infected with cysticercosis. The cysts were found distributed heavily within the skeletal, cardiac and scrotal muscles, and onto the leptomeninges of the brain causing pressure atrophy. Histological examination showed cystic structures within the musculature along with vascular congestion, infiltration of inflammatory cells within the connective tissue. The brains showed cystic cavities with or without the presence of parasites, meningo-encephalitis, perivascular cuffing, neuronophagia and focal gliosis.