Abstract

ESQUIVEL, Habacuc; VILLALOBOS, Nelly; VARGAS, Alejandro  and  MARTINEZ MAYA, José Juan. Metacestode of Taenia solium inactivation by composting: a feasible alternative in rural areas of Mexico. Vet. Méx [online]. 2014, vol.45, n.spe, pp.29-35. ISSN 0301-5092.

Cysticercosis by Taenia solium metacestode affects pigs, giving ground for meat confiscation. Composting is an alternative disposition method for confiscated carcasses and other animal debris, inactivating and destroying pathogens in the carcasses. In this study, composting was evaluated as a method to inactivate T. solium metacestodes. Seven compost cone-shaped piles were built, and three depth-zones were defined within them. Each zone was divided into 4 subzones, and a portion of contaminated meat was introduced into each subzone. Meat was sampled at 24, 36, 48, and 72 h and tested for evagination in vitro. The maximum required time for cysticercus inactivation was 48 h. Meat was incorporated to compost after 7 days. No significant differences were found in cysticercus inactivation among the compost zones (P > 0.05), but significant differences were found with respect to the outside. Therefore, all zones were regarded equally effective to inactivate viable T. solium cysticerci.

Keywords : composting; inactivation; metacestode; T. Solium.