Bovine Cysticercosis with Special Attention to Its Prevalence, Economic Losses and Food Safety Importance in Kermanshah, West of Iran

Background: Bovine cysticercosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases caused by the metacestode stage of the human tapeworm Taenia saginata. The public health and eco-nomic consequences of this parasite may be considerable due to downgrading and the con-demnation of carcasses. Therefore, this survey was designed to estimate the prevalence, economic losses and food safety importance of cattle cysticercosis at Kermanshah abattoir, west of Iran. Methods: This study is a retrospective survey covering a period from March 2006 to March 2013. All daily condemnation records for cattle in the municipal abattoir of livestock ani-mals in Kermanshah (the capital of Kermanshah province, west of Iran) were used as the sources of data. As part of an ongoing surveillance system, each slaughtered animal was ex-amined individually by official meat inspectors. Statistical analysis was carried out using software SPSS version 16.0. Results: From a total of 361787 cattle examined during this period, 284 (0.078%) were found infected with Cysticercus bovis; among those 183 (0.05%) of carcasses were treated and 101 (0.028%) of carcasses were condemned. Seasonal analysis revealed significantly higher (p < 0.05) prevalence in summer. The rejected carcasses and infected organs were val-ued at 112302 USD over this period. Conclusion: The findings obtained from this epidemiological investigation could be useful in order to design a comprehensive disease control strategy for cattle cysticercosis in this re-gion of Iran.