Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40763303›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Confirmation of a hyperendemic focus of porcine cysticercosis in Northern Uganda: Prevalence and risk factor analysis.

Nicholas Ngwili, Salaviriuse Ahimbisibwe, Max Korir, Stephen Bole, Clovice Kankya, Alfred Kinyera, Stanely Vusso Avudraga, Robert Saverio Okeny, Robert Kenny Okwera, Emily Ouma and 2 more

Abstract read
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Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Nicholas NgwiliHealth Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Salaviriuse AhimbisibweHealth Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Max KorirHealth Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Stephen BoleHealth Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Clovice KankyaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Alfred KinyeraDistrict Veterinary Office, Kitgum District Local Government, Kitgum, Uganda.
Stanely Vusso AvudragaDistrict Veterinary Office, Lamwo District Local Government, Lamwo, Uganda.
Robert Saverio OkenyDistrict Veterinary Office, Pader District Local Government, Pader, Uganda.
Robert Kenny OkweraDistrict Veterinary Office, Agago District Local Government, Agago, Uganda.
Emily OumaPeople, Policies and InstitutionsProgram, International Livestock Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Ian DohooCentre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada.
Lian F ThomasHealth Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID 0000-0001-8447-1210

Funding

One Health Research, Education and Out-reach Centre in Africa (OHRECA)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTaenia solium (T. solium), a neglected zoonotic tapeworm transmitted between humans and pigs, is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic areas where it is propagated by poor sanitation and pig husbandry practices. The World Health Organisation (WHO) NTD roadmap 2021-2030, recommended that targeted control interventions need to be initiated, and intensified in T. solium hyperendemic areas. Geospatial risk maps have identified Northern Uganda as a potential hyperendemic area. This study aimed to validate these findings and provide contextual evidence to support design and implementation of targeted interventions to control the parasite.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in four districts of northern Uganda. Blood samples were collected for serological analysis from 1049 pigs drawn from 714 households. Self-reported and observational data, and environmental variables from secondary sources were also collected. A subset of the seropositive pigs was dissected to confirm the presence of the parasite. The crude prevalence was adjusted for the test's sensitivity (Se = 0.867) and specificity (Sp = 0.947). Risk factors for seropositivity were evaluated using generalized mixed-effects models run in both R and Stata statistical software.

resultsThe prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in this area was 17.4% (15.1- 19.7; 95% CI). Pig level predictors of infection were pigs that were eight months or older (odds ratio (OR)=1.88; p = 0.001), and non-local breeds of the pig (OR=1.7; p = 0.01). Household-level risk factors included the use of borehole water, (OR=6.39; P = 0.001), free-roaming pigs (OR=1.92; p = 0.023), whilst the presence of a toilet in the compound was protective (OR=0.64, p = 0.05).

conclusionOur findings confirm that the study area is hyperendemic for T. solium infections, as the geospatial risk maps predicted. To achieve the targets laid out in the 2021-2030 WHO roadmap for control of NTDs, this region requires intensified targeted control interventions, preferably targeting both human and porcine hosts using the One Health approach.

Indexed as

CysticercosisEndemic DiseasesSwine DiseasesTaenia soliumAnimalsCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceRisk FactorsSwineUgandaZoonoses

Identifiers

PMID40763303
PMCPMC12380272

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.