Seroprevalence of Trichinellosis and Cysticercosis infections
of pigs correlated to human health in Southern Laos PDR.
Vannaphone Putthana1, Thipphakone Lacksivy1, Dethaloun Meunsen1, Amphone Keosengthong1, Khao Keonam1, Palamy
Changleuxai1, Fongsamouth Suthammavong1, Hung Viet Nguyen2, Fred Unger2
1 National University of Laos, Faculty of Agriculture, Vet Med Department, Nabong, Laos
2 International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Vietnam

Introduction
• Swine production: Free range, back yard and small scale farms
• Parasitic pork borne diseases (PPBD) are of major public health
and require One health management
• Cysticercosis and Trichinellosis, both are top ten PFBD and
expected to be endemic in Laos
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cysticercosis
and Trichinellosis in pigs and humans and related risk factors
in communities of Champasak province, Laos.

Serological sampling in humans and pigs
Study area
Province: Champasak
District: Soukhomma, Pathoumphone, Khong
Villages: 14
Survey design and sampling strategy
Cross sectional study, probabilistic sampling
Pigs: Focus on communities with native pigs
Humans: Volunteers and pig‘s owners
Implementation:
Interdiciplinary research team (e.g. NUoL, MOH, DLF, MoD
MoIC,MoSE)
Cross-sectoral: Ministries, community members and workers
Location and Methods

Methods (cont.)
• Field survey interviews for knowledge on PPBD
and pork consumption behavior
• Questionnaire and checklist: demographics, farm
management & potential risk factors
• Sampling:
• pig blood samples
• human blood samples
• Fecal samples
• Test applied
• Pigs: PrioCHECK™ Porcine Trichinella AB
• Humans: IBL AG ELISA, Germany for Trichinella
and apDIA AB ELISA (Cysticercoses)
• Kato technique

Results and discussion
Seroprevalence of Trichinella for human
Name of district Total sample positive prevalence
Soukhouma 187 12 6.42
Patoumphone 121 27 22.31
Khong 117 32 27.35
Total 425 71 16.71
Seroprevalence of Cysticercosis for human
Name of district Total sample positive Prevalence
Soukhouma 187 6 3.21
Patoumphone 121 8 3.21
Khong 95 0 3.21
403 14 3.47
volunteer
Name of
district
Total sample positive prevalence
Soukhouma 118 7 5.93%
Patoumphone 71 17 23.94%
Khong 48 16 33.33%
237 40 16.87%
pig owner
Name of
district
Total sample Positive prevalence
Soukhouma 69 5 7.24%
Patoumphone 50 10 20%
khong 47 16 34.04%
168 31 18.45%
volunteer
Name of
district
Total sample positive Prevalence
Soukhouma 118 4 3.38%
Patoumphone 71 4 5.63%
Khong 48 0 0%
237 8 3.37%
pig owner
Name of
district
Total sample Positive Prevalence
Soukhouma 69 2 2.89%
Patoumphone 50 4 8%
khong 47 0 0%
168 6 3.57%

Results and discussion (cont.)
Name of district Total sample Positive Prevalence
Soukhouma 79 19 24.05%
Patoumphone 101 19 18.81%
Khong 90 39 43.33%
270 77 28.51%
Seroprevalence of Trichinella for pigs
Name of district Total sample Positive Prevalence
free range 2 0 0%
fence/garden 88 23 26.13%
Rope 180 54 30%
270 77 28.51%
Prevalence of Trichinella for farm management pig

Results and discussion (cont.)
knowledge and Perception
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
keeping pig in fenced area can reduce
disease
healthy pig can't transmit diseases to
humans
worm in pigs are normal and don't need
the treatment
Perception of pig of pig owners on pig management
Fully agree agree not sure disagree fully disagree
• Very limited
knowledge on
cause and
prevention
• Perception that
worms are not
harmful for
humans

Results and discussion (Cont.)
knowledge and Perception
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
worm in humans are normal and don't
need the treatment
eating raw or undercook pork can harm
human heath
I like to eat raw or undercooked pork as
it is delicious
Perception of pig owner on risky behaviour for PFBD
Fully agree agree not sure disagree fully disagree

Results and discussion (cont.)
Pork consumption behavior
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Not at all Daily Weekly Monthly Less frequent
Consumption of raw, undercooked, fermented pork
by District
Khong Pathoumphone Soukhomma
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Not at all Daily Weekly Monthly Less frequent
Consumption pattern of raw, undercooked fermented pork and fish
Pork Fish

Conclusions
1. Trichinellosis and Cysticercosis still are present in the study area and can pose a public health
risk to pork eaters
2. Farmers and villagers still have limitation of knowledge on both PPBD and miss-perception on
parasite aspects
3. Free range, semi-free range backyard systems, eating raw pork/pork products are risk factors for
health
4. Joint one-health community awareness campaigns are needed led by cross-sectoral team

Acknowledgement
Research team members