article · Veterinary Medicine and Science
Cysticercus tenuicollis is a parasitic infection capable of causing production and economic losses in livestock, yet it remains widely neglected. A study examined 1106 slaughtered sheep and goats in the Bamenda municipality to evaluate the prevalence, intensity, and associated factors of the parasite across the Northwest region of Cameroon. Post-mortem inspections identified an overall infection prevalence of 34.36 percent, with similar rates observed in both goats and sheep. The cysts were present across all examined divisions and throughout the study timeframe. The vast majority of cysts were located in the abdominal cavity, primarily attached to the omentum. Significant factors linked to infection in goats included body weight, body condition score, origin, season, pregnancy, and lactation, whereas age was the only significant factor identified in sheep.
Cysticercus tenuicollis contributes to unrecognised livestock production losses and economic damage in rural communities. By documenting the widespread presence and anatomical distribution of the parasite in Cameroon, this research highlights an overlooked veterinary problem. The data can assist local agricultural authorities in developing targeted control strategies, including managing farm dog populations and preventing pasture contamination.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it reports observational epidemiological findings rather than a commercial product or technical development.
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ABSTRACT Background Cysticercus tenuicollis infection, which can cause production and economic losses in livestock, is neglected in most African countries, including Cameroon. Objective To determine the prevalence, intensity and associated factors of C. tenuicollis in small ruminants in the Northwest region, Cameroon. Materials and Methods A total of 1106 small ruminants (493 sheep; 613 goats) originating from divisions of the study region and destined for slaughter in Bamenda municipality were examined. Following slaughter, intensive meat inspections were performed to detect C. tenuicollis cysts based on standard procedures. Results Overall, the prevalence of C. tenuicollis was 34.36% (31.62%–37.21%), and no difference ( χ 2 = 1.43, p = 0.23) was observed between goats (35.89% [32.19%–39.76%]) and sheep (32.45% [28.47%–36.70%]). C. tenuicollis cyst was prevalent in all divisions in the region and detected during the entire study period. Weight, body condition score, pregnancy and lactating status of females, origin of the animals and season were the major ( p < 0.05) factors in goats and only age ( p < 0.05) in sheep. C. tenuicollis cysts were predominant in the abdominal cavity (97.90%) (OR = 2477.79; 889.45–6902.46; p < 0.0001, χ 2 = 701.19) and mainly attached to the omentum (71.84%) (OR = 20.03; 13.53–29.66; p < 0.0001, χ 2 = 269.13) compared to the pelvic cavity and other organs, respectively. Conclusion The study showed high prevalence and widespread distribution of C. tenuicollis infection in small ruminants and suggested that cysticercosis in small ruminants and its associated socio‐economic implications for livestock production are neglected in Northwest Cameroon. Concerted veterinary–livestock farmer efforts, monitoring of infected small ruminant populations and regular parasite control in dogs in contact with small ruminants and prevention of contamination of pastures with T. hydatigena eggs by barring access of potential definitive hosts are essential for the control of the disease.
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DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70307
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