Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon

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 Northwes...

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Main Authors: Prudentia Yensi Lawan, Aziwo Tatanja Niba, Julius Awah‐Ndukum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70307
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author Prudentia Yensi Lawan
Aziwo Tatanja Niba
Julius Awah‐Ndukum
author_facet Prudentia Yensi Lawan
Aziwo Tatanja Niba
Julius Awah‐Ndukum
author_sort Prudentia Yensi Lawan
collection DOAJ
description 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 (χ2 = 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, χ2 = 701.19) and mainly attached to the omentum (71.84%) (OR = 20.03; 13.53–29.66; p < 0.0001, χ2 = 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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spelling doaj-art-7354fcc2c55849edbd6195ce8a4aa8dc2025-08-20T03:47:58ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-05-01113n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70307Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of CameroonPrudentia Yensi Lawan0Aziwo Tatanja Niba1Julius Awah‐Ndukum2Divisional Delegation of Livestock Fisheries and Animal Industries Mezam Bamenda Northwest Region Bamenda CameroonDepartment of Animal Production Technology College of Technology The University of Bamenda Bamenda CameroonDepartment of Animal Production Technology College of Technology The University of Bamenda Bamenda CameroonABSTRACT 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 (χ2 = 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, χ2 = 701.19) and mainly attached to the omentum (71.84%) (OR = 20.03; 13.53–29.66; p < 0.0001, χ2 = 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.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70307associated factorsCysticercus tenuicollisNorthwest Cameroonprevalencesheep and goats
spellingShingle Prudentia Yensi Lawan
Aziwo Tatanja Niba
Julius Awah‐Ndukum
Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
Veterinary Medicine and Science
associated factors
Cysticercus tenuicollis
Northwest Cameroon
prevalence
sheep and goats
title Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
title_full Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
title_fullStr Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
title_short Prevalence, Intensity and Associated Factors of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Small Ruminants in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
title_sort prevalence intensity and associated factors of cysticercus tenuicollis in small ruminants in the northwest region of cameroon
topic associated factors
Cysticercus tenuicollis
Northwest Cameroon
prevalence
sheep and goats
url https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70307
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