Comparing the demonstration of freedom from Trichinella infection of domestic pigs by traditional and risk-based surveillance.
Traditionally, the routine artificial digestion test is applied to assess the presence of Trichinella larvae in pigs. However, this diagnostic method has a low sensitivity compared to serological tests. The results from artificial digestion tests in Switzerland were evaluated over a time period of 15 years to determine by when freedom from infection based on these data could be confirmed. Freedom was defined as a 95% probability that the prevalence of infection was below 0.0001%. Freedom was demonstrated after 12 years at the latest. A new risk-based surveillance approach was then developed based on serology. Risk-based surveillance was also assessed over 15 years, starting in 2010. It was shown that by using this design, the sample size could be reduced by at least a factor of 4 when compared with the traditional testing regimen, without lowering the level of confidence in the Trichinella-free status of the pig population.
Schuppers
M E
ME
SAFOSO, Bern, Switzerland. manon.schuppers@safoso.ch
Frey
C F
CF
Gottstein
B
B
Stärk
K D C
KD
Kihm
U
U
Regula
G
G
D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D008460:Meat / Q000469:parasitology; D015995:Prevalence; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000469:parasitology*; D013552:Swine / Q000469:parasitology; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014234:Trichinella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014235:Trichinellosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*