Short report: Seroprevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs in Bahia state, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and etiologic factors of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil, we performed serological surveys in Salvador, the capital of the state, and in two local towns, Santo Amaro and Jequie´. Residents raising free-roaming pigs in the study areas were randomly selected. Sera were obtained from the pigs and examined by the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay (EITB). The prevalence of antibodies to T. solium was 4.4% (2 of 45) in Salvador, 3.2% (3 of 93) in Santo Amaro, and 23.5% (24 of 102) in Jequie´. A significantly high seroprevalence in Jequie´ was associated with poor sanitary conditions, such as an open sewer system and no inspection process of pork before marketing.