IDENTIFICATION AND PREVALENCE OF TAENIA SOLIUM EGGS IN FAECES OF PIGS IN WUKARI, SOUTHERN TARABA, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to identify T. solium eggs in feacal droppings of one hundred (100)
unrestrained pigs in different sampling areas of WapanNghaku and Mission Quarters in Wukari,
Southern Taraba State, Nigeria, using the formol-ether-sedimentation and direct wet mount
techniques. Taenia solium (T. solium), also known as pork tapeworm, is a segmented intestinal
parasite of humans and pigs that is endemic in many developing countries. The prevalence of eggs in
both diagnostic methods was compared using percentages. The prevalence of T. solium eggs using
the formol-ether-sedimentation and direct wet mount technique was 48% and 32% respectively. In
both diagnostic isolation methods, the rate was highest in the WapanNghaku (formol-ethersedimentation: 56%; direct wet mount: 40%) than in the Mission Quarters areas (formol-ethersedimentation: 40%; direct wet mount: 20%). This study which describes for the first time, the study on T. solium in nomadic pigs and techniques to identify their eggs in faeces and determine their prevalences in Wukari has s improved data on the epidemiology of T. solium by showing that nomadic
pig farming in Wukari predisposes transmission of taeniasis in the study population of pigs that serve
as reservoirs of T. solium eggs. Furthermore, these eggs can be isolated with more accuracy using the
formol-ether-sedimentation technique which is simple. Whilst a robust surveillance data is
advocated, there is need to adopt a quality intensive system of pig management to maintain good
hygienic environment and disease free pork for consumption in the study areas.