Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh: An abattoir survey

Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in the abattoirs of coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh was studied. A total of 345 pigs, including 190 females and 155 males (aged 2–9 months) were inspected for a period of one year. Data obtained was classified according to sex, age and season and analyzed statistically. Tissue samples from different predilection sites in cysticercosis positive and suspected carcasses were processed for histopathological examination. It was found that a total of 37 carcasses were infected with visible cysts (26 viable and 11 degenerated) and 42 carcasses were with suspected lesions. Among the suspected lesions, four carcasses were identified as Cysticercus cellulosae on histopathological examination. The overall prevalence of cysticercosis was 11.88%, with a significantly high (p<0.05) prevalence in female (15.26%) than in male pigs (7.74%). Microscopically, cysts with or without invaginated scolex or degenerated cysts with different degrees of inflammatory reactions were noticed.