Seroprevalence of Taenia solium Cysticercosis from Pigs in Zuru Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis complex is a significant global public health and economic burden, contributing to neurocysticercosis in humans and financial losses in the pig farming industry due to pork downgrading. The disease remains endemic in many developing regions, including Nigeria, where poor sanitation and inadequate meat inspection facilitate its transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. solium cysticercosis in pigs from the Zuru area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. A total of 184 pig sera samples were analyzed using antigen-ELISA to detect T. solium secretory/excretory antigens. The association between infection status and host factors (sex and age) was evaluated statistically. Of the 184 pig sera tested, 60 (32.6%) were positive for T. solium antigens, indicating active cysticercosis. There was no statistically significant association between sex and seroprevalence (p = 0.416); however, a significant association was observed between age and infection (p = 0.002), with older pigs exhibiting higher prevalence rates. The high seroprevalence of T. solium cysticercosis in pigs from the study area suggests an ongoing transmission cycle, posing a serious risk to public health and the local pig farming industry. Inadequate meat inspection and poor sanitation may contribute to the continued spread of the parasite, increasing the likelihood of human taeniosis and neurocysticercosis. Urgent interventions, including strengthened meat inspection, improved public health education, and targeted control measures, are necessary to mitigate the zoonotic and economic risks associated with T. solium transmission. Keywords: Cysticercosis, Pigs, Prevalence, Slaughter, Soil.