Risk Factors for Bovine Cysticercosis in North-West Italy: A Multi-Year Case-Control Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Bovine cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by Cysticercus bovis, the larval stage of the human tapeworm Taenia saginata, which is the causative agent of human taeniasis, a foodborne parasitic disease caused by the consumption of infected raw or undercooked beef meat. Although commonly asymptomatic, bovine cysticercosis has an important impact worldwide, causing huge economic losses to the meat industry due to carcass condemnation or downgrading. Given the lack of epidemiological case-control surveys carried out in Italy, the present survey’s aim was to assess the presence of farm-level risk factors for bovine cysticercosis in an endemic area in North-West Italy. The results of our survey show a significant association between the detection of bovine cysticercosis cases at slaughter and farm proximity to picnic spots, closeness of wastewater treatment plant effluents, presence of employees along with the family members and loose-housing systems. These findings highlight the need for enforced food chain information and surveillance strategies and the crucial role that hygiene-related campaigns would play to educate both the general public and farm operators on the transmission pathways of T. saginata. ABSTRACT: Taenia saginata is the causative agent of bovine cysticercosis, a zoonotic parasitic disease with a worldwide distribution. Bovine cysticercosis is considered to be an important food safety issue responsible for human taeniasis and a major economic concern since infected carcasses undergo condemnation, freezing and downgrading. The aim of the current investigation was to assess the presence of farm-level risk factors for bovine cysticercosis in an endemic area in North-West Italy. A questionnaire was designed to collect information relating to several farm structural features, as well as management practices, environmental characteristics and attitudes of farmers. The questionnaire was administered in two separate time intervals by direct interview to previously selected case and control farms. Overall, 32 case farms and 131 control farms were included between 2005 and 2011 and 50 case farms and 192 control farms were included between 2014 and 2020. The present survey showed a significant association between the detection of bovine cysticercosis cases at slaughter and farm proximity to picnic spots, closeness of wastewater treatment plant effluents, loose-housing systems and presence of employees along with the family members, highlighting the need for targeted awareness raising policies.