Organizations Affiliated to the Authors:Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, P.O.B.112, Addis Ababa. School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of Jimma University, P.O. Box: 307, Jimma, Ethiopia Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O.B. 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
Status:Open Access
Abstract:
Taeniasis and bovine cysticercosis are common parasitic infections in developing countries
like Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to know the prevalence of taeniasis and
Cysticercus bovis using active and retrospective assessment in Addis Ababa and Modjo from
November 2009 to March 2010. For this cross-sectional study stool samples were collected
from Saint Paul Hospital, Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute and clinics at
Addis Ababa Abattoir and Luna Export Abattoir. The stool samples were examined for the
presence of Taenia spp eggs microscopically and cattle slaughtered during the study period
were also subjected to postmortem inspection to study bovine cysticercosis. Case book
records were also assessed to get information on situation of taeniasis and bovine
cysticercosis. Out of 384 stool samples examined, the overall prevalence of Taenia spp. egg
was 8.1%. The prevalence at different stool sampling sites was not found statistically
significant (P>0.05). Taenia saginata infection was found higher among age group 26-30
years followed by individuals with greater than 40 years of age (P<0.05). The sex-wise
prevalence was 8.4% and 7.8% in female and male (P>0.05), respectively. From a total of
61000 cattle carcass inspected using active abattoir survey of both sites, 3.7% were found
positive for C. bovis. On the basis of retrospective survey, of 366 total stool samples collected
throughout the year and the prevalence of Taenia spp. egg was 6.6%. Age and sex-wise
Taenia spp. egg were observed more in 26-30 years age categories as compared to less than
15 years age categories. Of a total 33289 cattle slaughtered between 2001 and 2008 at Addis
Ababa abattoir 1.04% had C. bovis cyst. The results of the present study clearly indicated the
economic as well as public health significances of the infection. Thus, interdisciplinary
collaboration between veterinarians and medical personnel is imperative to help in the control
of this infection.
