Dataset Information

Detection of circulating antigens for Taenia spp. in pigs slaughtered for consumption in Nairobi and surroundings, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Background & methods:Taenia solium a zoonotic tapeworm, responsible for neurocysticercosis in humans is a major public health threat, being a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions. Eastern and southern African nations have experienced a recent rapid growth in pig production, including small-scale, free-range systems, with an accompanying increased risk of T. solium transmission. Seven hundred blood samples were collected from randomly selected pigs presented for slaughter at one of the largest porcine abattoir supplying unprocessed pork to Nairobi city and its surroundings. The samples were tested using an antigen ELISA to determine the prevalence of infection with Taenia spp. Results:The prevalence, adjusted for diagnostic test characteristics, was estimated to be 4.4% (95% CI: 1.9-7.1) with no significant statistical difference by pig sex or age. Infection with Taenia spp. was detected in pigs from all regions of the country supplying pigs to this slaughterhouse. Official post-mortem inspection did not detect cysticercosis in the duration of the study. Therefore, all the carcasses entered the food chains of Nairobi (70%), or neighboring counties (30%). Conclusions:Circulating antigens of Taenia spp. were detected in pigs slaughtered in one of the largest porcine slaughterhouses in Kenya, which receives pigs from several regions in the country. This is an indication that pigs entering the value chain are raised under poor husbandry conditions and that pork consumers in Nairobi and its surroundings may be exposed to the important zoonotic parasite. Whilst further research utilizing full carcass dissection is required to confirm T. solium positive cases, interventions to improve food-safety throughout the pork value chains in Kenya should be seriously considered.

SUBMITTER: Akoko JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6378851 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Detection of circulating antigens for <i>Taenia</i> spp. in pigs slaughtered for consumption in Nairobi and surroundings, Kenya.

Akoko James M JM MacLeod Ewan E Thomas Lian F LF Alarcon Pablo P Kang'ethe Erastus E Kivali Velma V Muloi Dishon D Muinde Patrick P Murungi Maurice K MK Gachoya Julius M JM Fèvre Eric M EM

Parasite epidemiology and control 20190207

<h4>Background & methods</h4><i>Taenia solium</i> a zoonotic tapeworm, responsible for neurocysticercosis in humans is a major public health threat, being a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions. Eastern and southern African nations have experienced a recent rapid growth in pig production, including small-scale, free-range systems, with an accompanying increased risk of <i>T. solium</i> transmission. Seven hundred blood samples were collected from randomly selected pigs presented ...[more]

PMID: 30847409

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Project description:UnlabelledTaenia spp. infections, particularly cysticercosis, cause considerable health impacts in endemic countries. Despite previous evidence of spatial clustering in cysticercosis and the role of environmental factors (e.g. temperature and humidity) in the survival of eggs, little research has explored these aspects of Taenia spp.EpidemiologyIn addition, there are significant gaps in our understanding of risk factors for infection in humans and pigs. This study aimed to assess the influence of socio-economic, behavioural and environmental variables on human and porcine cysticercosis. A cross-sectional survey for human taeniasis (T. solium and T. saginata), human cysticercosis (T. solium) and pig cysticercosis (T. solium) in 416 households in western Kenya was carried out. These data were linked to questionnaire responses and environmental datasets. Multi-level regression was used to examine the relationships between covariates and human and porcine cysticercosis. The HP10 Ag-ELISA sero-prevalence (suggestive of cysticercosis) was 6.6% for humans (95% CI 5.6%-7.7%), and 17.2% for pigs (95% CI 10.2%-26.4%). Human taeniasis prevalence, based on direct microscopic observation of Taenia spp. eggs (i.e. via microscopy results only) was 0.2% (95% CI 0.05%-0.5%). Presence of Taenia spp. antigen in both humans and pigs was significantly associated with a range of factors, including positive correlations with land cover. The presence of HP10 antigen in humans was correlated (non-linearly) with the proportion of land within a 1 km buffer that was flooding agricultural land and grassland (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09 and 0.998; p = 0.03 and 0.03 for the linear and quadratic terms respectively), gender (OR = 0.58 for males compared to females, p = 0.02), level of education (OR = 0.62 for primary level education versus no formal education, p = 0.09), use of well water for drinking (OR = 2.76 for those who use well water versus those who do not, p = 0.02) and precipitation (OR = 0.998, p = 0.02). Presence of Taenia spp. antigen in pigs was significantly correlated with gender and breeding status of the pig (OR = 10.35 for breeding sows compared to boars, p = 0.01), and the proportion of land within a 1 km buffer that was flooding agricultural land and grassland (OR = 1.04, p = 0.004). These results highlight the role of multiple socio-economic, behavioural and environmental factors in Taenia spp. transmission patterns. Environmental contamination with Taenia spp. eggs is a key issue, with landscape factors influencing presence of Taenia spp. antigens in both pigs and humans.

Project description:BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance among pathogens of public health importance is an emerging problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, published information on the burden and patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in this region is sparse. There is evidence that the burden and patterns of AMR vary by geography and facility. Knowledge of local epidemiology of AMR is thus important for guiding clinical decisions and mitigation strategies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the burden and predictors of AMR and multidrug resistance (MDR) among bacterial pathogens isolated from specimens submitted to the diagnostic laboratory of a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsThis retrospective study used laboratory records of 1,217 clinical specimens submitted for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing at the diagnostic laboratory of The Karen Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya between 2012 and 2016. Records from specimens positive for Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, or Pseudomonas spp. isolates were included for analysis. Firth logistic models, which minimize small sample bias, were used to investigate determinants of AMR and MDR of the isolates.ResultsA total of 222 specimens had bacterial growth. Most Enterobacteriaceae isolates were resistant to commonly used drugs such as penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (91.2%) and folate pathway inhibitors (83.7%). Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins was also high (52.9%). Levels of AMR and MDR for Enterobacteriaceae were 88.5% and 51%, respectively. Among S. aureus isolates, 57.1% were AMR, while 16.7% were MDR. As many as 42.1% of the Pseudomonas spp. isolates were aminoglycoside-resistant and 15% were fluoroquinolone-resistant, but none exhibited resistance to antipseudomonal carbapenems. Half of Pseudomonas spp. isolates were AMR but none were MDR. Significant predictors of MDR among Enterobacteriaceae were organism species (p = 0.002) and patient gender (p = 0.024).ConclusionsThe high levels of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance and MDR among Enterobacteriaceae isolates are concerning. However, the relatively low levels of MDR S. aureus, and an absence of carbapenem resistance among Pseudomonas isolates, suggests that last-line drugs are still effective against S. aureus and Pseudomonas infections. These findings are relevant for guiding evidence-based treatment decisions as well as surveillance efforts and directions for future research, and contribute to the sparse literature on AMR in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dataset Information

Detection of circulating antigens for Taenia spp. in pigs slaughtered for consumption in Nairobi and surroundings, Kenya.

Publications

Detection of circulating antigens for <i>Taenia</i> spp. in pigs slaughtered for consumption in Nairobi and surroundings, Kenya.

Similar Datasets

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