LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF TAENIA-SOLIUM CYSTICERCOSIS IN RURAL PIGS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate diagnostic procedures for porcine cysticercosis. Sera were obtained from 32 pigs reared in comm ercial farms, 47 pigs before and after experimental infection, 42 care fully necropsied rural pigs and 191 slaughtered pigs from rural commun ities in which the presence of the Taenia solium metacestode was asses sed by tongue dissection. Sera were analyzed by ELISA to detect antibo dies against T. solium antigens and to detect parasite antigens. Most sera from the necropsied rural pigs were also evaluated by the Western blot method. Antigen and antibody ELISA detection assays showed high sensitivity and specificity when applied to sera from pigs reared in c ommercial farms. Ln contrast, all methods (Ag-ELISA, Ab-ELISA assays, EITB and tongue inspection) showed lower sensitivity and specificity w hen applied to the generally lightly infected rurally reared pigs, The probability distribution of cysts in carcasses were also determined. These results emphasize the difficulties in detecting cysticercosis in rural pigs with low levels of cyst burdens. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.