Disparities in Beef Tapeworm Identification Rates in the Abattoirs of Gauteng Province, South Africa: A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study

Background Bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus infections (also called bovine cysticercosis or beef measles) is usually diagnosed in cattle only during post-mortem meat inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the identification rates of these infections in and to identify predictors/determinants of variations in the identification rates in abattoirs in Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods Retrospective data for over 1.4 million cattle carcasses inspected in 26 abattoirs between January 2010 and December 2013 were used for the study. The identification rates (proportion of bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus positive carcasses) were computed and generalized estimating equations used to identify predictors/determinants of identification rates. Results The overall identification rate was 0.70% (95% CI: 0.45, 0.95). Significantly (p\u3c 0.05) lower rates were reported during summer (0.55%) than other seasons. Some geographic areas reported significantly (p\u3c0.05) higher rates than others. The identification rates in high throughput abattoirs was significantly (p\u3c0.05) higher (RR: 9.4; 95% CI: 4.7–19.1) than in low throughput abattoirs. Similarly, the identification rates among animals from feedlots were significantly (p\u3c0.05) higher (RR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.7–3.5) than those from non-feedlot sources. No significant (p\u3e0.05) association was identified between identification rates and either the number of meat inspectors per abattoir or the provider of inspection services. Conclusion Although no significant association was found between identification rates and provider of inspection services, follow-up studies will need to be done to specifically investigate the potential conflict of interest arising from the fact that abattoir owners hire meat inspection services directly. Capture of abattoir surveillance data needs to include farm address and for each case to be reported separately. Finally, information on the type of identified cysts (alive or calcified) need to be collected to help better estimate risk to consumers. This study provides useful baseline data to guide future studies, surveillance and control efforts

Disparities in beef tapeworm identification rates in the abattoirs of Gauteng Province, South Africa : a descriptive epidemiologic study

BACKGROUND Bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus infections (also called bovine cysticercosis or beef measles) is usually diagnosed in cattle only during post-mortem meat inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the identification rates of these infections in and to identify predictors/ determinants of variations in the identification rates in abattoirs in Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS Retrospective data for over 1.4 million cattle carcasses inspected in 26 abattoirs between January 2010 and December 2013 were used for the study. The identification rates (proportion of bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus positive carcasses) were computed and generalized estimating equations used to identify predictors/determinants of identification rates. RESULTS The overall identification rate was 0.70% (95% CI: 0.45, 0.95). Significantly (p< 0.05) lower rates were reported during summer (0.55%) than other seasons. Some geographic areas reported significantly (p<0.05) higher rates than others. The identification rates in high throughput abattoirs was significantly (p<0.05) higher (RR: 9.4; 95% CI: 4.7–19.1) than in low throughput abattoirs. Similarly, the identification rates among animals from feedlots were significantly (p0.05) association was identified between identification rates and either the number of meat inspectors per abattoir or the provider of inspection services. CONCLUSION Although no significant association was found between identification rates and provider of inspection services, follow-up studies will need to be done to specifically investigate the potential conflict of interest arising from the fact that abattoir owners hire meat inspection services directly. Capture of abattoir surveillance data needs to include farm address and for each case to be reported separately. Finally, information on the type of identified cysts (alive or calcified) need to be collected to help better estimate risk to consumers. This study provides useful baseline data to guide future studies, surveillance and control efforts.http://www.plosone.orgam2016Paraclinical Science

Disparities in Beef Tapeworm Identification Rates in the Abattoirs of Gauteng Province, South Africa: A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study.

BACKGROUND:Bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus infections (also called bovine cysticercosis or beef measles) is usually diagnosed in cattle only during post-mortem meat inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the identification rates of these infections in and to identify predictors/determinants of variations in the identification rates in abattoirs in Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS:Retrospective data for over 1.4 million cattle carcasses inspected in 26 abattoirs between January 2010 and December 2013 were used for the study. The identification rates (proportion of bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus positive carcasses) were computed and generalized estimating equations used to identify predictors/determinants of identification rates. RESULTS:The overall identification rate was 0.70% (95% CI: 0.45, 0.95). Significantly (p< 0.05) lower rates were reported during summer (0.55%) than other seasons. Some geographic areas reported significantly (p<0.05) higher rates than others. The identification rates in high throughput abattoirs was significantly (p<0.05) higher (RR: 9.4; 95% CI: 4.7-19.1) than in low throughput abattoirs. Similarly, the identification rates among animals from feedlots were significantly (p<0.05) higher (RR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.7-3.5) than those from non-feedlot sources. No significant (p>0.05) association was identified between identification rates and either the number of meat inspectors per abattoir or the provider of inspection services. CONCLUSION:Although no significant association was found between identification rates and provider of inspection services, follow-up studies will need to be done to specifically investigate the potential conflict of interest arising from the fact that abattoir owners hire meat inspection services directly. Capture of abattoir surveillance data needs to include farm address and for each case to be reported separately. Finally, information on the type of identified cysts (alive or calcified) need to be collected to help better estimate risk to consumers. This study provides useful baseline data to guide future studies, surveillance and control efforts

Bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus identification rates by municipalities of Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2013.

<p>Bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus identification rates by municipalities of Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2013.</p

Seasonal patterns in number of carcasses inspected and bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus identification rates in Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2015.

<p>Seasonal patterns in number of carcasses inspected and bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus identification rates in Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2015.</p

Monthly identification rates of bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus in Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2013.

<p>Monthly identification rates of bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus in Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2013.</p

Distribution of sources of slaughtered animals by municipalities in Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2013.

<p>Distribution of sources of slaughtered animals by municipalities in Gauteng Province (South Africa), 2010–2013.</p

Characteristics of abattoirs and animal sources in Gauteng Province (South Africa) between 2010 and 2013.

<p>Characteristics of abattoirs and animal sources in Gauteng Province (South Africa) between 2010 and 2013.</p

The total number of cattle slaughtered in Gauteng Province (South Africa) between 2010 and 2013 and proportion of bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus positive carcasses identified, treated and condemned.

<p>The total number of cattle slaughtered in Gauteng Province (South Africa) between 2010 and 2013 and proportion of bovine <i>T</i>. <i>saginata</i> cysticercus positive carcasses identified, treated and condemned.</p