Analysis of risk factors for bovine cysticercosis infection: a casecontrol study starting from abated animals

Abstract

Bovine cysticercosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of Taenia Saginata, with origins in poor handling conditions and, above all, the environmental contamination caused by man, host of the adult form of the parasite. Knowing the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis is important for the implementation of control programs, however it is important to determine the source of the infection of the animals. In this paper, a study was conducted based on the records of three refrigerators located in the town of Colatina-ES, the addresses of properties, that sent animals to slaughtering, were obtained through the Animal Transit Guide (GTA). The properties were georeferenced for the mapping of the studied region and analysis of the distribution of cases and controls. Risk factors were studied using the information obtained in an epidemiological survey based on questionnaires application at the properties visited, being the size of the properties, the origin of animals, age of animals acquired and sewer destination, the main factors associated to the infection. The diagnosis of cysticercosis in the slaughterhouse, plus the information of the animal source, allowed defining the areas of disease occurrence and its quantification. Proving to be an important indicator for the establishment of effective programs to combat the parasite.