Pig farming systems and cysticercosis in Northern Uganda
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Revue d’élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux
Abstract
Rudimentary non-market-oriented pig rearing systems have been implicated in
the persistence of Taenia solium cysticercosis, an endemic disease of high public
health concern in Uganda. We investigated the seroprevalence and key predisposing
factors of the disease in Moyo and Lira, two pig-producing districts in
Northern Uganda. Cross-sectional serosurveys were conducted in 428 pig farms
(Moyo, 262; Lira, 166). Farmers kept on average two adult pigs per herd. Tethering
was a common practice in rural areas; free-ranging less so. Confinement of
pigs in pens was characteristic of periurban farming systems. Pigs were mainly
fed crop residues and forages in the rainy season, and swill and crop residues
in the dry season. The majority of farmers of the survey were women (55%)
above 45 years old, and 51% of farmers had attained primary school education.
A total of 723 pig serum samples were collected, 403 in Moyo, and 320 in
Lira. They were analyzed for Taenia spp. antigens using B158C11A10/B60H8A4
Antigen-ELISA. The overall animal seroprevalence of Taenia spp. serum antigen
was 10.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.9–17.6), with 13.2% (95% CI: 7.1–
21.2) the highest in Moyo vs 6.9% (95% CI: 2.9–13.9) in Lira. The herd-level
seroprevalence was estimated at 13.7% (95% CI: 9.8–18.5) in Moyo and 11.4%
(95% CI: 7.0–17.2) in Lira. Out of 12 explanatory variables assessed for association
with the observed seroprevalence, only the district of origin was significant
(p = 0.01). Pigs originating from Lira were a protective factor against Taenia spp.
cysticercosis (odds ratio: 0.54). These findings highlight the urgent need for an
awareness campaign with prevention and control measures to minimize the risk
of transmission to pork consumers in these districts.
Description
Keywords
Swine, Livestock management, Taenia spp, Cysticercosis, Seroprevalence, Risk factors, Uganda
Citation
Kungu, J. M., Masembe, C., Apamaku, M., Akol, J., Amia, W. C., & Dione, M. (2019). Pig farming systems and cysticercosis in Northern Uganda. Revue d’élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux, 72(3), 115-121. DOI: 10.19182/remvt.31254