An epidemiological study of Taenia solium cysticercosis in a rural population in the Bolivian Chaco

A survey of 100 rural households in a village in the Chaco region of Bolivi a revealed a serious problem of Taenia solium cysticercosis, with a seropre valence of 99/447 (22%) in humans and 102/273 (37%) in pigs. Risk factors f or humans were being in older age groups, absence of sanitary facilities, p oor formal education and inability to recognise infected pork. Significant risk indicators were a history of seizures and the reported elimination of worms in the faeces. Risk factors for pigs were being in older age groups a nd absence of sanitary facilities in the owner's house. The proportion or h ouseholds with evidence of human cysticercosis was similar for those who ow ned pigs (48%) and those that did not (55%). This unexpected finding was at tributed to the high overall prevalence of cysticercosis in pigs and the pr obability that everyone, regardless of pig-ownership, had ample opportunity to become infected in such communities. The main recommendation for reduci ng the prevalence of human cysticercosis was to provide more effective educ ation campaigns, aimed at preventing both T. solium infection and cysticerc osis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.