Palpable lingual cysts, a possible indicator of porcine cysticercosis, in Teso District, Western Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of palpable lingual cysts in pigs in Western Kenya, a possible indicator of porcine cysticercosis, and to study the potential risk factors associated with this clinical finding. Methods: During a cross-sectional survey, 316 randomly selected small-scale farms were visited, from which a case-control study of 31 case farms and 93 randomly selected control farms was constructed. Information on potential risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis-taeniosis was obtained using questionnaires administered via personal interviews. Results: Farm prevalence of palpable lingual cysts was estimated at 9.8% (31 of316) (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.5%-13,1 %). Total number of pigs testing positive was 33, resulting in a pig preva- ' lence of 6.5% (95% CI, 4%-9%), Pigs were kept as a source of income (98%) and for home consumption (2%). Sources of pigs included local purchases (94%; 117 of 124), and purchases from Uganda (6%; seven of 124). Most farmers (95%; 118 of 124) kept their pigs on free range, Pork was sourced from local butcheries (85%) and home slaughtering (15%). Most house¬holds slaughtering pigs at home had their pork "inspected" by household friends (five of nine), Absence oflatrines was more com¬mon in case households (42%; 13 of31) than in controls (18%; 17 of93) (P = ,01; OR = 3,2; 95% CI, 1.2%-8,55). Implications: Palpable lingual cysts are prevalent in the locally raised pigs of Western Kenya. Further studies using more sensitive diagnostic tests are required to confirm the risk of porcine cysticercosis