Prevalencia de cisticercosis porcina en el camal municipal del cantón Pelileo, 2023

Porcine cysticercosis, a parasitic zoonosis caused by the larva of Taenia solium, represents a significant public health and economic problem in regions where pig farming is common. This study was conducted at the Municipal Slaughterhouse of Pelileo canton, in the city of Ambato, Ecuador, during 2023, with the aim of determining the prevalence of cysticercosis in slaughtered pigs, identifying the affected organs, and evaluating the causes of condemnation for human consumption. A descriptive and quantitative study was carried out, analyzing information from pigs originating from various areas of the country. During slaughter, visual inspections and palpations of main organs such as the heart, tongue, liver, and masseter muscles were performed to detect T. solium cysts. The collected data was recorded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365. The results showed a prevalence of 0.31% of cysticercosis in pigs slaughtered during 2023. The most affected organs were the liver, lungs, and heart, with a prevalence of 0.95% among condemned organs. Although the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in the Pelileo slaughterhouse is relatively low, the disease remains a frequent finding. It is recommended to implement stricter control and prevention measures in artisanal pig productions, as well as education programs, health surveillance, deworming, and awareness to reduce the incidence of this zoonosis.