A seroepidemiological study of bovine cysticercosis in Bali and Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Taenia saginata hazardously affects human and animal health. The distribution of this disease is found almost all over the world. The study aimed to obtain epidemiological information concerning prevalence and the distribution of bovine cysticercosis in Bali and Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 267 community-owned Bali cattle serum samples from the provinces of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara were examined. The study was conducted by examining the serum of Bali cattle using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Risk factors related to cysticercosis that analyzed were sex, breeding type, age, physical condition, source of drinking water, pen condition, and latrine availability. RESULTS: Seven of 91 Bali cattle sera from all regencies/cities in Bali showed a positive result. Those positive sera were originated from Buleleng (1), Gianyar (2), Denpasar (2), and Klungkung (2). Meanwhile, four of 92 Bali cattle sera from West Nusa Tenggara and seven of 84 from East Nusa Tenggara occurred antibodies against T. saginata. We identified that two risk factors that influence the incidence of T. saginata infection in Bali cattle in Bali were the sex and the cattle breeding type. CONCLUSION: Through this research can be made a map of bovine cysticercosis in Bali cattle in Bali and Nusa Tenggara region. By mapping the disease, it is recommended that the animal health officers should be more accurate when conducting postmortem examination, especially on cattle from a positive region.