Epidemiologic observations on porcine cysticercosis in a rural community of Michoacan State, Mexico.
The prevalence of and risk factors for Taenia solium infection (cysticercosis) in pigs were studied in a rural community in Michoacan State, Mexico. Visual inspection of the tongues of 216 pigs revealed cysticerci in 14 (6.5%). The prevalence was slightly higher in male (10/105) than female pigs (4/110) (P = 0.06) and increased with age (P less than 0.05). The most important risk factors for infection in pigs were access to human feces at a public washing area (P = 0.004), the presence of an indoor latrine (P = 0.05) and indiscriminate disposal of human feces around the pig owner's household (P less than 0.1). Effective and long-lasting control of the transmission of T. solium from humans to pigs must include measures to deny pigs access to human feces, a change which is likely to be resisted because of the traditional and functional aspects of established pig-rearing practices.
Sarti Gutierrez
E
E
Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.
Schantz
P M
PM
Aguilera
J
J
Lopez
A
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014059:Tongue / Q000469:parasitology