RESUMEN
Equids are still used for diverse chores in Mexico and are essential for the livelihoods of numerous families. Appropriate health and behavior are prerequisites for performing work without affecting welfare. This study aimed to assess the welfare of working equids in Tuliman, applying the hands-on donkey tool. This tool evaluates five dimensions (behavior, body condition score [BCS], wounds, lameness, and other health issues) and was applied to 438 working equids (horses, mules, and donkeys). The Kruskall-Wallis test was applied to investigate differences between species and sex. Donkeys were more common; they also presented more positive behaviors and less lameness (p < 0.05). No differences were found for BCS among species on a scale ranging from 1 to 5 (mean BCS for donkeys = 1.9; mules = 2; and horses = 1.8). Mares had significantly lower BCS (mean = 1.5) than stallions (p < 0.05) and geldings (mean = 1.9). Overall mules had better welfare evaluations. The tool allowed detection of welfare issues in working equids; a practical outcome would be implementing local welfare strategies according to its results.
Asunto(s)
Equidae , Indicadores de Salud , Bienestar del Animal , Animales , Conducta Animal , Femenino , Cojera Animal , Masculino , México , Trabajo , Heridas y LesionesRESUMEN
The S3Pvac synthetic vaccine, composed of three peptides (GK1, KETc1 and KETc12) effectively protects against cysticercosis under experimental and field conditions. Additionally, S3Pvac vaccine can effectively damage early-established cysticerci in experimentally lightly infected young pigs. This study was designed to explore if also fully-developed cysticerci that eluded immunity induced by the infection can be damaged by S3Pvac-induced immunity in naturally, heavily infected adult pigs. Fourteen pigs identified as cysticercotic by tongue inspection from rural communities were purchased and moved to controlled conditions in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Half of these pigs were treated once a month three times with S3Pvac plus saponin, and the other half received only saponin (controls). Twelve months later pigs were euthanized, and the number of cysticerci, their macro and microscopic status and their capacity to transform into tapeworms were determined. S3Pvac failed to damage fully-developed muscle cysticerci of naturally, heavily infected adult pigs. To explore possible factors involved in the failure of the therapeutic capacity pooled sera from control and treated cysticercotic pigs were added to mice mononuclear peripheral cells. Pooled sera from non-infected pigs were also tested. Sera from control and treated infected pigs almost completely suppressed the T cell proliferative responses, pointing to the presence of suppressor factors. In conclusion, S3Pvac vaccine failed to damage fully-developed cysticerci in pigs in which a host parasite relationship had evolved after months of infection with immunological implications.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/prevención & control , Cysticercus/inmunología , Proteínas del Helminto/inmunología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/prevención & control , Vacunas de Subunidad/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/sangre , Proliferación Celular , Células Cultivadas , Femenino , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Leucocitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratones , Bazo/citología , Porcinos , Vacunas SintéticasRESUMEN
Hormones play a significant role in murine Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis, and they may also participate in the susceptibility to Taenia solium cysticercosis. In the present study, in vitro effects are reported for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the larval stages of T. crassiceps (WFU strain) and T. solium. Our results reveal the presence of receptors for hCG in different developmental phases of both cultured parasites. On day 30, both taeniid species had the highest percentage of receptors in the neck, strobila, and suckers, but these receptors decreased by day 60, delimiting the segments and the exterior of the developing proglottids in T. solium. At the same time, there was a large number of hCG receptors in the area of the presumptive cirrus organ and in calcareous corpuscles within the parenchyma. This is the first report detecting receptors for hCG on different larval stages of T. crassiceps and T. solium. A direct effect of hCG could be recognized by the cysticerci as a factor contributing to the growth and development of T. crassiceps and T. solium cysticerci, respectively.
Asunto(s)
Cysticercus/metabolismo , Receptores de HL/análisis , Taenia solium/metabolismo , Animales , Gonadotropina Coriónica/metabolismo , Medios de Cultivo , Cysticercus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Femenino , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente Indirecta , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Cavidad Peritoneal/parasitología , Porcinos , Taenia solium/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the clinical impacts of neurocysticercosis (NC) caused by Taenia solium in humans and pigs. METHODS: Comparative study of the brains of 16 asymptomatic pigs and 35 human NC cases (15 asymptomatic and 20 symptomatic). RESULTS: In humans, cysticerci were more frequently located in the ventricles and subarachnoid space at the base of the brain (11.8%vs. 1.6%; P = 0.001 and 25.9%vs. 0%; P < 0.0001, respectively) while in pigs, cysticerci were more frequently found in the parenchyma (44.4%vs. 7.6%; P < 0.0001). In human brains, 75.9% of the cysticerci were calcified, while in pigs all cysticerci were in the vesicular stage. CONCLUSION: The duration of infection and the host-parasite relationship (such as immune reactivity and brain haemodynamics) differ between humans and pigs. This may account for the different distribution and stage of the cysticerci among humans and pigs.
Asunto(s)
Encefalopatías/parasitología , Neurocisticercosis/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Taenia solium/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Encéfalo/parasitología , Encefalopatías/veterinaria , Cysticercus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Cysticercus/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Neurocisticercosis/veterinaria , Porcinos , Taenia solium/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
In chronically infected BALBc/AnN male mice, Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis induces changes in the host's sex steroids hormone that lead to their estrogenization and deandrogenization, with possible repercussions on their susceptibility to infections. Here reported are the serum steroid levels in free range cysticercotic male boars. Therefore, the possible effects of Taenia solium cysticerci over the pig steroid levels were evaluated. Herein are described the sex steroids and cortisol levels of non-cysticercotic (n=25) and cysticercotic (n=22) adult boars, as diagnosed by tongue inspection, all free-ranging in a typical village of an endemic rural area in Mexico. A significant reduction of testosterone (P=0.022) and a likely one of 17beta-estradiol (P=0.08) levels were found in the cysticercotic boars in comparison with those non-cysticercotic, whilst no significant differences in the cortisol and DHEA levels were detected. Serum levels of specific antibodies did not correlate with infection nor with the levels of any of the hormones measured. Results suggest that T. solium cysticercosis significantly affects the hormonal status of its porcine host independently of their antibody response.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Hormonas/sangre , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/fisiopatología , Taenia solium/fisiología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/sangre , Cisticercosis/fisiopatología , Deshidroepiandrosterona/sangre , Estradiol/sangre , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Masculino , México , Proyectos Piloto , Porcinos , Testosterona/sangreRESUMEN
With the aim of genotyping Echinococcus granulosus cysts found in Mexican livestock, we collected hydatid cysts from the livers and lungs of pigs in slaughterhouses in the state of Morelos, Central Region of Mexico. DNA was extracted from the parasites and examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of rDNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1-PCR), Eg9-PCR, Eg16-PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In addition, fragments of the genes coding for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) were sequenced. Two different genotypes of E. granulosus were unequivocally identified, the common sheep genotype, G1, and the common pig genotype, G7. The G1 genotype of E. granulosus has not been previously demonstrated in Mexico. Because of its recognized infectivity in humans, G1 genotype is a direct threat to human health and its presence in Mexico is consequently of immediate public health importance and epidemiological relevance.
Asunto(s)
Equinococosis Hepática/veterinaria , Equinococosis Pulmonar/veterinaria , Echinococcus granulosus/genética , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Animales , Equinococosis Hepática/parasitología , Equinococosis Pulmonar/parasitología , Echinococcus granulosus/aislamiento & purificación , Genes Protozoarios/genética , Genotipo , Hígado/parasitología , Pulmón/parasitología , México , PorcinosRESUMEN
Taenia solium cysticercosis is a parasitic disease frequently affecting human health and the pig industry in many developing countries. A synthetic peptide vaccine (designated S3Pvac) against porcine cysticercosis has been developed previously as an aid to interrupt transmission and has been shown to be effective. The results of the present study support the effectiveness of the vaccine under endemic field conditions. However, given the time-frame of the vaccination trial, no changes in the local levels of transmission were detectable before and after vaccination using sentinel pigs. Thus, this investigation shows the limited usefulness of single vaccination as the sole means of interrupting Taenia solium transmission in an endemic region.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/prevención & control , Taenia solium/inmunología , Vacunas de Subunidad/inmunología , Animales , Cisticercosis/epidemiología , Cisticercosis/inmunología , Cisticercosis/prevención & control , Enfermedades Endémicas/veterinaria , Femenino , Masculino , México/epidemiología , Vigilancia de Guardia , PorcinosRESUMEN
If a programme for the control of pig cysticercosis is to be effective it has to be based on good data on the local epidemiology of Taenia solium. In 2002-2003, in a cross-sectional study of pig cysticercosis in the Mexican state of Morelos, 1747 pigs that had been born and reared in rural areas of the state were checked for T. solium infection by tongue inspection. The prevalence of cysticercosis in the pigs was found to vary from 0% to 30% according to the municipality from which the pigs came. Although prevalence appeared to be unaffected by the socio-economic status of the municipality, it was relatively high in areas that lacked latrines, and in pigs that were castrated, pregnant and/or of the native (rather than an imported) breed. The results of questionnaire-based interviews with pig owners revealed that most (64.5%) of the rural pigs, whether infected or not, are slaughtered and consumed within the locality where they were reared. The other pigs are sold at low prices to organised traffickers who take the uninspected pigs to neighbouring urban areas for sale. The observed complexity in the factors affecting the transmission of T. solium to the pigs of Morelos state calls for an intervention strategy of matching complexity, initially targeted at those villages with the highest prevalences of pig cysticercosis. The road transport of pigs needs to be better regulated, and the vaccination and genetic improvement of the rural pigs, and delaying the castration of the boars, should all be considered.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Distribución por Edad , Animales , Peso Corporal/fisiología , Castración , Comercio , Estudios Transversales , Cisticercosis/epidemiología , Cisticercosis/transmisión , Enfermedades Endémicas/prevención & control , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiología , Fenotipo , Embarazo , Prevalencia , Salud Rural , Factores Socioeconómicos , Porcinos/parasitología , Taenia solium , Cuartos de Baño , Abastecimiento de AguaRESUMEN
The aim of this work was to analyse the genetic origin of the Mexican Creole donkey, as well as its genetic diversity, by comparison with Spanish and African donkey populations by means of the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA. To this end, the genomic DNA of 68 Mexican Creole donkeys from eight geographical regions in six States of the Republic of Mexico and from a Sicilian donkey was obtained. By the polymerase chain-reaction technique (PCR) a fragment of 541 bp was amplified, corresponding to the most informative region of the mitochondrial DNA, the D-loop. The fragments were subsequently sequenced. The analysed sequences revealed 10 new Mexican haplotypes that were different from those of the Spanish and African breeds with which they were compared, showing high levels of genetic diversity. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships in the different Creole varieties showed a tendency of origin towards Spanish breeds, mainly the Andaluza, Zamorano-Leonesa and Majorera from the Canary Islands; these in turn showed an African origin, seven Mexican haplotypes and three haplotypes similar to those analysed by Aranguren and colleagues (2004) of Spanish and African breeds being obtained. This work allows us to reach the preliminary conclusion that the origin of Mexican Creole donkey populations in the different states of the Republic of Mexico is clearly of Iberian origin, the Spanish donkey breed Andaluza being the main one contributing to the populations of the Mexican Creole donkeys, followed by the Spanish breeds Zamorano-Leonesa and Majorera from the Canary Islands, and that the populations possess high levels of genetic diversity.
Asunto(s)
ADN Mitocondrial/genética , Equidae/genética , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , ADN Mitocondrial/química , Variación Genética , Haplotipos/genética , México , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Filogenia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Polimorfismo Genético , Alineación de Secuencia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
Body measurements (length from nape of neck to the withers; height to withers; length from withers to tail root; length from shoulder to tuber ischii; thoracic circumference; umbilical circumference) were taken and correlated with live weight from 160 donkeys (mean +/- standard deviation = 6 +/- 2.6 years old) in Central Mexico. The age was assessed from dentition. Sex of the donkeys was also recorded. Sex was an important factor of variation (p = 0.011). Live weight was estimated using two allometric models. Model 1: Live weight = beta x (thoracic circumference)beta1. Model 2: Live weight = betao x (height to the withers) beta1 x (thoracic circumference) beta2. Separate prediction equations were produced for males and females, plus one for the total sampled. The 'best fit' models, were those using thoracic circumference to predict the live weight. Males: live weight = 0.018576 x (thoracic circumference)1.84107 (R2 = 0.9839). Females: live weight = 0.031255 x (thoracic circumference)1.72888 (R2 = 0.9839). The equations derived to estimate the live weight of donkeys in Britain, Morocco and Zimbabwe were less satisfactory for use with donkeys from Central Mexico because they overestimated the live weight.
Asunto(s)
Tamaño Corporal/fisiología , Peso Corporal/fisiología , Equidae/anatomía & histología , Modelos Anatómicos , Animales , Equidae/fisiología , Femenino , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , MéxicoRESUMEN
In two rural villages of the state of Puebla, Mexico, where Taenia solium pig cysticercosis is highly endemic, 120 pairs of young out-bred piglets were used to assay what proved to be an effective synthetic peptide vaccine against naturally acquired cysticercosis. Because the piglets used were all sired by one of three distinct studs in many different out-bred sows, the prevalence and intensity of infection, as well as degree of protection conferred by the vaccine, could be related to each of the three stud families (A-C). The highest prevalence was found in the C family (25%), whilst the prevalence of B and A families were 21.6 and 4.4%, respectively. Familial clustering of cases was even more conspicuous in vaccinated pigs than in not-vaccinated ones: seven of the nine cysticercosis cases that occurred in the vaccinated group belonged to the C family (7/26) and two to the B family (2/23), whilst the vaccine rendered the A family totally resistant (0/71). Parasite numbers were also higher in the C family in both nai;ve and vaccinated pigs. Familial clustering of cases and of large parasite numbers in naive and vaccinated pigs hint to the relevance of their genetic background in their innate and acquired resistance to cysticercosis.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/genética , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Taenia solium/inmunología , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Cisticercosis/genética , Cisticercosis/inmunología , Cisticercosis/parasitología , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Masculino , México/epidemiología , Músculo Esquelético/parasitología , Embarazo , Distribución Aleatoria , Población Rural , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/inmunología , Vacunación/veterinaria , Vacunas de Subunidad/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Cuentepec is a rural village of central Mexico, where 1300 pigs were bred at the time of the study in conditions that favor Taenia solium transmission. The tongues of 1087 (84%) of these pigs were visually examined and 33% were found to be cysticercotic. Castration of male pigs increased prevalence from 23 to 50% (P < 0.001) and pregnancy in sows also increased their prevalence from 28 to 59% (P < 0.001). Thus, endocrinological conditions characterized by low levels of androgens or high levels of female hormones probably influence the susceptibility of pigs to T. solium cysticercosis as observed in mice infected with Taenia crassiceps. Delaying castration of male pigs and confinement of sows during pregnancy might significantly decrease the prevalence of pig-cysticercosis and help curb transmission without much cost or difficulty.
Asunto(s)
Crianza de Animales Domésticos/métodos , Castración/veterinaria , Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Animales , Castración/efectos adversos , Cisticercosis/epidemiología , Cisticercosis/parasitología , Cisticercosis/transmisión , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades/veterinaria , Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa/prevención & control , Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa/veterinaria , Femenino , Higiene , Masculino , México , Embarazo , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Población Rural , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/transmisión , Taenia solium , Lengua/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Taenia solium cysticercosis seriously affects human health when localised in the central nervous system (CNS) and causes great economic loss in pig husbandry in rural areas of endemic countries. Increasing the resistance to the parasite in the obligatory host pig may help in curbing transmission. Three synthetic peptides based on protein sequences of the murine parasite Taenia crassiceps, which had previously been shown to induce protection in mice against homologous challenge, were tested as a vaccine against T. solium cysticercosis in pigs. Vaccinated and unvaccinated piglets (240 in all) were distributed in pairs among the peasants' households of two rural villages in Mexico in which 14% of the native pigs were cysticercotic. Ten to twelve months later, the effect of vaccination was evaluated at necropsy. Vaccination decreased the total number of T. solium cysticerci (98.7%) and reduced the prevalence (52.6%). The natural challenge conditions used in this field trial strengthen the likelihood of successful transmission control to both pig and human through a large-scale pig vaccination program. We believe this is a major contribution in anticysticercosis vaccine development as these rather simple yet protective peptides are potentially more cost-effective to produce and less variable in results than antigens that are more complex.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/prevención & control , Taenia/inmunología , Vacunación/veterinaria , Vacunas/inmunología , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Cisticercosis/economía , Cisticercosis/epidemiología , Cisticercosis/inmunología , Cisticercosis/prevención & control , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Femenino , México/epidemiología , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Fragmentos de Péptidos/síntesis química , Fragmentos de Péptidos/inmunología , Proyectos Piloto , Embarazo , Prevalencia , Salud Rural , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/economía , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/inmunología , Vacunación/economía , Vacunas de Subunidad/inmunología , ZoonosisRESUMEN
Flies caught in homes in a rural village in Guerrero, Mexico, between November 1994 and August 1995 were assessed for their role in the transmission of Taenia solium L. Most (99%) of the trapped flies were Musca domestica L. None of the 1,187 guts or 1,080 legs of the flies contained T. solium eggs. Pigs roam freely in this village consuming human fecal material immediately after defecation, thereby limiting fly contact with T. solium eggs.
Asunto(s)
Insectos Vectores , Muscidae/parasitología , Taenia , Animales , Cisticercosis/transmisión , Humanos , México , Óvulo , Población Rural , PorcinosRESUMEN
Vaccination of pigs of mixed genetic make-up, raised as rustically as done in rural Mexico, resulted in effective protection to experimental challenge against Taenia solium cysticercosis. Maximum protection was achieved if pigs were immunized at 70 days of age. There was large variation of viable parasite load within vaccinated pigs and controls, which is suggestive of significant genetic factors influencing susceptibility, besides immunization. Our results strengthen the advisability of pig vaccination for control of T. solium cysticercosis, since it lowers the number of viable cysticerci capable of transforming into tapeworms.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/biosíntesis , Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/prevención & control , Taenia/inmunología , Vacunación/veterinaria , Factores de Edad , Animales , Cisticercosis/prevención & control , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , México , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/genética , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/inmunologíaRESUMEN
This article reviews current knowledge on human and porcine cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium. It highlights the conditions favorable for its prevalence and transmission, as well as current trends in research on its natural history, epidemiology, immunopathology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Our opinions on the most urgent needs for further research are also presented.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/epidemiología , Cisticercosis/prevención & control , Países en Desarrollo , Taenia , Animales , Cisticercosis/diagnóstico , Cisticercosis/parasitología , Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Salud Global , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos , Humanos , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Taenia/crecimiento & desarrollo , Taenia/inmunología , Taenia/ultraestructuraRESUMEN
Research was conducted on typical smallholder farms with dual-purpose cattle (DPC) (Bos indicus x B. taurus) in the coastal north-central area of Veracruz, Mexico. The study was divided into two phases. The aim of the first phase was to investigate the effect of blood metabolities, body condition and pasture management on milk yield and postpartum intervals, in order to investigate if the former are suitable indicators of the reproductive and nutritional status of DPC. One hundred and sixty-five calvings of crossbred cows were recorded from January 1992 to November 1994 on 12 small farms. Milk samples were collected twice a week for progesterone analysis. Blood samples and BCS were taken once a month. However, in Phase II emphasis was placed on the effect of pasture management upon reproductive and productive performance of DPC. Records of four farms were obtained from June 1995 to November 1996. Stocking rates were 0.40, 0.87, 0.35 and 1.5 cows/ha for farms A, B, C and D, respectively. Farms A and C used a slow rotation while B and D used a rapid rotation. In Phase I, the changes in BCS during the last month of pregnancy and first month postpartum did not correlate (p > 0.05) with milk yield or reproductive performance. Blood the metabolite profiles were not consistently related to productive or reproductive variables. The effect of farm and season was significant (p < 0.05) on most of the response variables and low productivity on overstocked farms lead to the conclusion that the low reproductive performance of DPC was linked to poor pasture management. During Phase II, farms A (FA) and D (FD) produce more milk than the others. Days to first service, days open, and calving interval were similar for farms B (FB) and C (FC), highest for Farm A, and lowest for Farm D. The forage availability mean was above the critical range of 6-8 kg of dry matter per 100 kg of liveweight (kg DM/100 kg LW) in all farms (range from 6.1 +/- 5.0 to 21.1 +/- 11.2 kg DM/100 kg LW). Farm D had the highest stocking rate (1.5 cows/ha), a rapid rotation (10 paddocks), a good forage availability (7.1 +/- 3.9 kg DM/100 kg LW) with a good quality for a tropical pasture (11.6 +/- 2.4% crude protein), and an economic energy supplementation. These results suggest this type of management could be more widely employed to improve the productivity of DPC on smallholder farms in the Mexican tropics.
Asunto(s)
Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Bovinos/metabolismo , Lactancia/metabolismo , Leche/química , Periodo Posparto/sangre , Periodo Posparto/metabolismo , Progesterona/análisis , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Cruzamiento/estadística & datos numéricos , Industria Lechera , Femenino , Lactancia/fisiología , México , Embarazo , Estaciones del AñoRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to evaluate diagnostic procedures for porcine cysticercosis. Sera were obtained from 32 pigs reared in commercial farms, 47 pigs before and after experimental infection, 42 carefully necropsied rural pigs and 191 slaughtered pigs from rural communities in which the presence of the Taenia solium metacestode was assessed by tongue dissection. Sera were analyzed by ELISA to detect antibodies 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 commercial farms. In contrast, all methods (Ag-ELISA, Ab-ELISA assays, EITB and tongue inspection) showed lower sensitivity and specificity when 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.
Asunto(s)
Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Cysticercus , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/diagnóstico , Animales , Animales Domésticos , Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/sangre , Cisticercosis/sangre , Cisticercosis/diagnóstico , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , México , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Salud Rural , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/sangre , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , TaeniaRESUMEN
Epidemiological studies of porcine cysticercosis require identification of pigs harbouring viable Taenia solium cysticerci and estimates of the degree of exposure to the parasite in the pig population destined for human consumption. Identification of infected pigs with viable larvae is achieved through detection of their secretory products. However, detectable levels of circulating antibody may also be present in the absence of viable larvae. In this study, both types of tests have been evaluated in groups of pigs experimentally infected with T. solium. Detection of viable cysticerci was achieved using a monoclonal antibody-based (HP10) antigen capture assay. HP10 epitope-bearing antigens have now been demonstrated in T. solium and T. crassiceps cyst fluid and excretion/secretions. Serum antibodies were measured in ELISA assays using two parasite preparations as antigens; T. solium cyst fluid and T. crassiceps cyst fluid antigens bearing the HP10 epitope. Low-background values were obtained with sera from non-infected animals in all the assays used. In heavily infected pigs, both antigens and antibodies were detected at least 29 days and up to 200 days post-infection (pi), while in lightly infected pigs antigen and antibodies were first observed between 61-97 days pi. Thus, the levels of the serum antigen and antibody varied with the intensity of the infection.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/sangre , Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Cysticercus/inmunología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/diagnóstico , Animales , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Antígenos Helmínticos/análisis , Antígenos Helmínticos/sangre , Western Blotting/veterinaria , Cisticercosis/diagnóstico , Cisticercosis/prevención & control , Cysticercus/fisiología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta Inmunológica , Electroforesis/veterinaria , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/veterinaria , Femenino , Parasitosis Intestinales/diagnóstico , Parasitosis Intestinales/prevención & control , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/prevención & controlRESUMEN
In spite of the vast knowledge that exists in the fields of immunology, biochemistry, diagnosis and treatment, the basic facts about the dynamics of the transmission of Taenia solium are incomplete. The present study determines the age at which piglets become infected in a rural community of Mexico, where the climate is divided into the dry and rainy seasons. It was found that piglets become infected during the dry months, not so during the rainy season. They pick up eggs at the age of 2 to 4 weeks and the metacestodes are present in the liver. In older animals aged 4 to 6 months, the larvae were also found in the muscles. In a 6-month-old pig larvae were found in the muscles and brain. These findings may be explained by behavioural studies of free living pigs and climatic conditions.