SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF TAENIA-SAGINATA CYSTICERCOSIS IN SWAZILAND

A cross-sectional study of Taenia saginata cysticercosis in Swaziland using a serodiagnostic ELISA for parasite antigen is described. The se roprevalence and the levels of parasite antigen were compared in the s era of cattle from different geographical localities, and from areas o f high or low population density. Cattle from the Lowveldt region, whi ch has a hot and dry climate relative to the other areas investigated, exhibited significantly higher serum antigen levels. Seroprevalence w as also higher in the Lowveldt but this difference was not found to be significant. Within the Lowveldt, antigen levels were found to be sli ghtly elevated in cattle from more highly populated areas. It is sugge sted that either human behaviour and/or practices in animal husbandry, or increased susceptibility of cattle to reinfection at certain times of the year, may enhance transmission in the Lowveldt since climatic conditions in this region are not conducive to transmission.