Taenia solium cysticercosis and human taeniasis in the Nsukka area of Enugu State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in slaughter pigs and of taeniid ova in hospital patients were determined in the Nsukka area of Enugu State, Nigeria, in March 1986-September 1988 and May 1986-May 1988, respectively. Cysticercus cellulosae were detected in the pigs by ante-mortem examination of the pigs' tongues and detailed post-mortem examination of the dressed pig carcasses using standard meat-inspection procedures. Human infection was assessed by examining iodine-stained stool samples collected from patients from one selected hospital in the study area. Over 20% (483) of the 2358 trade pigs examined were found infected with C. cellulosae. Most of the cases were generalized, all the musculature being heavily infested with live cysticerci. The age and sex of the pig and the season of the year in which it was examined had no significant effect on the occurrence of cysticerci in the animals (P > 0.01) but there was a highly significant year-to-year decrease (P < 0.001) in the prevalence of cysticerci. The overall prevalence of taeniid ova in the 1525 human-stool samples analysed was 8.6%, most (78.6%) of the cases occurring in adults aged > 30 years. The epidemiological factors which might have influenced these results are identified and discussed, and suggestions are made for the control of this important zoonosis.