Impact of Porcine Cysticercosis on Public Health and Food Safety in India

Due to consumption of Porcine Cysticercosis infected pork, a serious and life-threatening disease named Neuro- Cysticercosis has been reported in the 2-3% of weaker section of human population of rural and slum areas of Rajasthan state in India. 75% of hospitalized patients with neurocysticercosis were at productive age, and are frequently unable to work soon after the onset of symptoms associated with epilepsy. 90% of the pig’s population is raised by weaker section in their houses and never bring their pigs to Government slaughter houses because of the fear of downgrading or confiscation and thus 80% of the pigs go to the unofficial meat distribution centers without any reliable anti-mortem diagnosis test and at such stage it may be open to abuse and risk of human consumption.

Collected serum samples from naturally infected pigs were examined by Immunoelectrotransfer blot technique ( EITB) combined with the high resolution gradient gel electrophoresis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Both techniques revealed that the sensitivity of ELISA was 70% with specificity of 73% as well as 98% high sensitivity and 100% absolute specificity by EITB proved useful for ani-mortem diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis. 26% serum samples were found positive.

This study suggests that an awareness programme related to pork tapeworm-Taenia solium and zoonotic cestode infection as well as effective taenicidal drugs work against adult T.solium in human host and pigs with diagnostic tests must be implanted for food safety and veterinary-public health in the rural and slum areas of all over India.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.