Seroprevalence of Taenia Saginata Cysts in Cattle, Human Hospital Cases of Taniasis and Risk Factors for Human Taeniasis in Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

Taenia saginata is a zoonotic tapeworm that causes disease in cattle and human. A cross sectional survey was conducted between June and July 2021 in Kajiado County, Kenya to (i) estimate the seroprevalence of Taenia saginata cysts in cattle presented for slaughter in Kitengela, Kiserian and Keekonyokie slaughterhouses, (ii) to determine the annual hospital reported cases of T. saginata in humans that visited all level 4 hospitals in Kajiado county between 2015 and 2021 and (iii) to assess the risk factors for T. saginata in humans. Analyzed data in this study revealed that the seroprevalence of T. saginata cysts in cattle in the selected slaughterhouses was 2.67% (4/150). The meat inspectors recorded no cases of cysts during the study period and this confirms that Antibody ELISA is three times as sensitive as meat inspection. Data from hospital records showed that a total of 1,487,687 patients visited different facilities in Kajiado County between 2015 and 2021. Subsequently, 29 patients were diagnosed with human taeniasis between 2015 and 2021. The highest proportion (0.006%) was encountered in 2015 and the least proportion (0.004%) in 2020. From the risk factors assessed, uninspected home slaughter (75%), consumption of raw/improperly cooked beef (100%) and open defecation by herders (11%) still pose a risk to humans getting infected by T. saginata while presence and use of latrines (89%) and availability, accessibility and use of taenicides (89%) have significantly contributed to reduction of T. saginata. Considering the cultural practices of the local (Maasai) community, who are the main residents of Kajiado County, and since humans are the only definitive hosts of T. saginata, control of the infection should be centered towards continuous focused education coupled with regular deworming of human carriers, and especially the herders and school going children. This will gradually result in behavior and culture change that will ultimately reduce the prevalence and lead to elimination of the disease.