A sero-epidemiological study of bovine cysticercosis in Zambia

A sero-epidemiological study of Taenia saginata cysticercosis was carried out in adult cattle in Zambia to determine the prevalence and study the influence of the farming system on the infection rate. Serum samples were examined for circulating parasite antigen by a monoclonal-based sandwich ELISA. Thirty-eight of 628 serum samples were found positive (prevalence 6.1%). Cysticercosis was significantly more prevalent in feedlots and in traditional farming systems than in dairy farms. It is suggested that the continuous man to animal contact and the use of casual workers in feedlots may be factors that are conductive to T. saginata transmission.