Bovine cysticercosis in the European Union: Impact and current regulations, and an approach towards risk-based control. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blagojevic, Bojan; Robertson, Lucy J.; Vieira-Pinto, Madalena; Johansen, Maria Vang; Laranjo-González, Minerva; Gabriël, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Food control. Volume 78(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Taenia saginata -- Cysticercosis -- Risk-based control -- Meat inspection; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Hygiène alimentaire -- Périodiques; Food -- Analysis; Food handling; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.02.052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7135

Abstract

Abstract: Bovine cysticercosis is caused by the larval stage of Taenia saginata and has a global distribution. This zoonosis usually causes only mild disease in humans, but has an important economic impact on the meat sector as bovine carcasses that are found to be infected are either condemned or undergo a costly treatment, which additionally results in a substantial reduction in carcass value. Regulations on control of bovine cysticercosis are in place but, at present, control is mainly based on meat inspection. Implementation of a new, risk-based meat safety assurance system, which will allow visual-only inspection of slaughtered cattle in order to reduce the potential for cross-contamination with bacteria that are of greatest public health risk, is expected in the European Union in the near future. With this system, the detection sensitivity for bovine cysticercosis that is already low with the current meat inspection system, would be expected to decrease further. Alternatives for successful control of bovine cysticercosis are necessary. Some substitution or supplementary measures, such as serological tests or additional incisions out of the slaughter-line, have been proposed, but further research is necessary in order to confirm their sensitivity and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, new methods that can be routinely used should be developed. Preferably, these measures would be validated and in place prior to implementation of the new meat safety assurance system, in a move towards effective, risk-based control of bovine cysticercosis in the European Union.