Efficacy and safety of antiparasitic therapy for neurocysticercosis in rural Tanzania: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Neurocysticercosis is common in regions endemic for Taenia solium. Active-stage neurocysticercosis can be treated with antiparasitic medication, but so far no study on efficacy and safety has been conducted in Africa. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on treatment of neurocysticercosis in Tanzania between August 2018 and January 2022. Patients were initially treated with albendazole (15 mg/kg/d) for 10 days and followed up for 6 months. Additionally in July 2021, all participants who then still had cysts were offered a combination therapy consisting of albendazole (15 mg/kg/d) and praziquantel (50 mg/kg/d). Antiparasitic treatment was accompanied by corticosteroid medication and anti-seizure medication if the patient had experienced epileptic seizures before treatment. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were recruited for this study, of whom 17 had a complete follow-up after albendazole monotherapy. These patients had a total of 138 cysts at baseline, of which 58 (42%) had disappeared or calcified by the end of follow-up. The median cyst reduction was 40% (interquartile range 11-63%). Frequency of epileptic seizures reduced considerably (p < 0.001). Three patients had all active cysts resolved or calcified and of the remaining 14, eight received the combination therapy which resolved 63 of 66 cysts (95%). Adverse events were infrequent and mild to moderate during both treatment cycles. CONCLUSION: Cyst resolution was unsatisfactory with albendazole monotherapy but was very high when it was followed by a combination of albendazole and praziquantel.

Occurrence of Taenia species in pigs in slaughterhouses in Phu Tho province, northern Vietnam.

Pigs act as the intermediate hosts of the zoonotic tapeworms Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica, as well as of the non-zoonotic Taenia hydatigena. In Vietnam, human taeniasis and cysticercosis have been reported throughout the country; however, data on porcine cysticercosis are scarce. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Taenia spp. in slaughtered pigs in two districts in Phu Tho, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam from where neurocysticercosis patients commonly originate. The carcasses of 399 pigs from 51 small-scale abattoirs were checked for cysticerci, while tongue, liver, masseter muscles, diaphragm and heart were sliced and examined. Retrieved cysticerci underwent polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing for species confirmation. Blood was also collected to detect antibodies by lentil lectin-purified glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (LLGP-EITB) and recombinant T24H antigen (rT24H)-EITB and circulating antigens by B158/B60 Ag-ELISA. In two pigs, T. asiatica cysticerci were found, confirming the presence of the parasite in pigs in Vietnam at a low prevalence (0.5%; 95% exact confidence interval (CI): 0-1.19%). Cysticerci of T. solium were found in none of the pigs, although one serum sample was positive for antibodies in both LLGP-EITB and rT24H-EITB. Furthermore, a high prevalence of T. hydatigena cysticercosis was observed (18.0%; 95% Wilson score CI: 14.6-22.1%). In more than half of the T. hydatigena-positive pigs, circulating antigens were detected by Ag-ELISA, confirming that this test cannot be used to diagnose T. solium cysticercosis in this region. Finally, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei was found in one pig liver. It is the first record of this zoonotic cestode species in pigs in Vietnam. Overall, the findings confirmed the complex epidemiology of Taenia spp. in pigs in Vietnam.

The seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in Belgium anno 2002 and 2006: a comparative analysis with hepatitis A virus seroprevalence.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is endemic worldwide but its seroprevalence varies widely. The goal of this study was to estimate the age-specific seroprevalence of CMV infection in Belgium based on two cross-sectional serological datasets from 2002 and 2006. The seroprevalence was estimated relying on diagnostic test results based on cut-off values pre-specified by the manufacturers of the tests as well as relying on mixture models applied to continuous pathogen-specific immunoglobulin G antibody titre concentrations. The age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV), based on three Belgian cross-sectional serological datasets from 1993, 2002 and 2006, was used as a comparator since individuals acquire lifelong immunity upon recovery, implying an increasing seroprevalence with age. The age group weighted overall CMV seroprevalence derived from the mixture model was 32% (95% confidence interval (CI) 31-34%) in 2002 and 31% (95% CI 30-32%) in 2006. We demonstrated that CMV epidemiology differs from the immunizing infection HAV. This was the first large-scale study of CMV and HAV serial datasets in Belgium, estimating seroprevalence specified by age and birth cohort.

Present status of laboratory diagnosis of human taeniosis/cysticercosis in Europe.

Human cysticercosis (CC) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage (cyst) of the Taenia solium. Cysts can establish in the human central nervous system (neurocysticercosis, NCC) and other organs and tissues; they also develop in pigs, the natural intermediate host. Human taeniosis may be caused by T. solium, Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica tapeworms; these infections are usually asymptomatic, but show a significant relevance as they perpetuate the parasites' life cycle, and, in the case of T. solium, they are the origin of (N)CC. In European Union (EU) member states and associated countries, the occurrence of autochthonous T. solium cases is debated, and imported cases have significantly increased lately; the status of T. asiatica has been never reported, whereas T. saginata is prevalent and causes an economic impact due to condemned carcasses. Based on their effects on the EU society, the specific diagnosis of these pathologies is relevant for their prevention and control. The aims of this study were to know the diagnostic tests used in European laboratories for human taeniosis/cysticercosis by means of a questionnaire, to determine potential gaps in their detection, and to obtain preliminary data on the number of diagnosed taeniosis/CC cases.

Host Th1/Th2 immune response to Taenia solium cyst antigens in relation to cyst burden of neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), Taenia solium larval infection of the brain, is an important cause of acquired seizures in endemic countries, which relate to number, location and degenerating cysts in the brain. Multicyst infections are common in endemic countries although single-cyst infection prevails in India. Single-cyst infections in an endemic country suggest a role for host immunity limiting the infection. This study examined ex vivo CD4(+) T cells and in vitro Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses to T. solium cyst antigens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy subjects from endemic and nonendemic regions and of single- and multicyst-infected patients for association with cyst burden of NCC. T. solium cyst antigens elicited a Th1 cytokine response in healthy subjects of T. solium-endemic and T. solium-non-endemic regions and those with single-cyst infections and a Th2 cytokine response from subjects with multicyst neurocysticercosis. Multicyst neurocysticercosis subjects also exhibited low levels of effector memory CD4(+) T cells. Th1 cytokine response of T. solium exposure and low infectious loads may aid in limiting cyst number. Th2 cytokines and low effector T cells may enable multiple-cyst infections to establish and persist.

Opisthorchis viverrini-like liver fluke in birds from Vietnam: morphological variability and rDNA/mtDNA sequence confirmation.

Flukes were found in the bile ducts of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), necropsied in the Binh Dinh province of Central Vietnam. Following staining, morphological characteristics of the bird flukes were compatible with Opisthorchis viverrini, although some characteristics differed from those described in specimens collected from mammal hosts. Computation of the phylogenetic trees on the partial sequences of the second internal ribosomal spacer (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) markers of the mitochondrial DNA showed close similarity of the 'bird' Opisthorchis sp. with O. viverrini. We speculate that these bird flukes are O. viverrini that show intraspecies morphological and molecular variability compared to isolates from mammals. This demonstrates the complex epidemiological situation of opisthorchiasis in Vietnam and urges investigations on the potential of birds as a reservoir host of this zoonotic fluke.

Prevalence case-control study of epilepsy in three Burkina Faso villages.

PURPOSE: To estimate the association between the prevalence of epilepsy and potential risk factors in three Burkina Faso villages. METHODS: Three villages were selected based on local reports of high numbers of epilepsy cases and pig-rearing practices. One person aged 7 or older was selected at random from all households of selected concessions for epilepsy screening and blood sampling. Epilepsy was confirmed by a physician using the ILAE definition. The cross-sectional associations between epilepsy and selected factors and seroresponse to the antigens of Taenia solium were estimated using a Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression. Prevalence odds ratios (POR) and their 95% Bayesian Credible Intervals (95% BCI) were estimated. RESULTS: Of 888 individuals interviewed, 39 of 70 screened positive were confirmed to have epilepsy for a lifetime prevalence of 4.5% (95% CI: 3.3; 6.0). The prevalence of epilepsy was associated with a positive reaction to cysticercosis Ag-ELISA serology (POR = 3.1, 95% BCI = 1.0; 8.3), past pork consumption (POR = 9.7, 95% BCI = 2.5; 37.9), and being salaried or a trader compared to a farmer or housewife (POR = 2.9, 95% BCI = 1.2; 6.4). DISCUSSION: Several factors were associated with prevalent epilepsy, with Ag-ELISA suggesting the presence of neurocysticercosis. The association between epilepsy and some occupations may reflect differences in local attitudes toward epilepsy and should be further explored.

Sensitive in vitro system to assess morphological and biochemical effects of praziquantel and albendazole on Taenia solium cysts.

Neurocysticercosis resulting from Taenia solium infections is a major cause of adult-acquired seizures worldwide. Disease is caused by larval cysts, and treatment consists of the anthelmintic drugs albendazole or praziquantel. There are no standard methods to assess drug activity to T. solium cysts in vitro. Morphological, functional, and biochemical changes that might reflect damaging (inhibiting, cytotoxic) drug effects were analyzed after exposure of cysts to albendazole sulfoxide (ABZ-SO), the major active metabolite of the drug in vivo, praziquantel (PZQ), or combinations of both. PZQ exposure led to a decrease in cyst size and inhibition of evagination, whereas ABZ-SO exposure resulted in minimal changes. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is normally secreted by cysts, and both drugs inhibited AP secretion at concentrations of 5 and 50 ng/ml for PZQ and ABZ-SO, respectively. Some combinations of both drugs resulted in additive and/or synergistic activities. Parasite-specific antigen, detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of infected patients, is also normally secreted by T. solium cysts. Antigen secretion was similarly inhibited by ABZ-SO and PZQ and a combination of both drugs, suggesting that inhibition of secretion is a common downstream consequence of the activities of both drugs. These studies establish quantitative methods to measure in vitro anthelmintic activity and suggest combination therapy with ABZ-SO and PZQ may have clinical benefit.

Assessment of a 27-kDa antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of fasciolosis in Vietnamese patients.

Fasciolosis has emerged as an important zoonotic disease in many parts of the world. In recent years, an increasing number of human cases were reported in Vietnam. In this study, the 27-kDa component protein from the excretory/secretory production of adult Fasciola gigantica, purified by high performance liquid chromatography, was assessed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against Fasciola spp. for diagnosis of human fasciolosis. The ELISA showed a high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (97.67%) when tested on patients with fasciolosis, other parasitic infections, cholangiocarcinoma and on healthy controls. The assay was applied for diagnosis on 143 patients in the Viet Duc-Hanoi hospital who presented with clinical signs of liver disease and lesions in their livers as shown by imaging techniques. Antibodies were found in 37 (25.9%) of these patients, of whom only 3 shed Fasciola eggs in their stools (2.1%). The excellent response to triclabendazole treatment of 37 sero-positive patients confirmed the diagnosis of fasciolosis. This study demonstrated the diagnostic potential for human fasciolosis of the 27-kDa antigen ELISA. Fasciolosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic disease in Vietnam.

Antibody responses to the host-protective Taenia solium oncosphere protein TSOL18 in pigs are directed against conformational epitopes.

TSOL18 is a recombinant protein that has been shown in repeated experimental trials to be capable of protecting pigs against challenge infection with the cestode parasite Taenia solium. Antibodies raised by the vaccine are capable of killing the parasite in an in vitro culture and it is believed that antibody and complement-mediated killing of invading parasites is the major protective immune mechanism induced by vaccination with TSOL18. Investigations were undertaken to characterize whether the principal antibody specificities raised by TSOL18 in pigs were against linear or conformational determinants. TSOL18 was expressed in two truncated forms representing either the amino terminal portion or the carboxy terminal portion, with the two truncations overlapping in sequence by 25 amino acids. The original protein (designated TSOL18N(-)) and the two truncations (TSOL18N(-)-1 and TSOL18N(-)-2) were used in inhibition ELISA. TSOL18N(-) was shown to be capable of completely inhibiting the binding of pig anti-TSOL18N(-) antibodies to TSOL18N(-) in ELISA. However, neither TSOL18N(-)-1 nor TSOL18N(-)-2, either alone or when combined together, was capable of inhibiting any detectable amount of reactivity of pig anti-TSOL18N(-) antibodies with TSOL18N(-). It is concluded that the dominant antibody specificities, and probably the host-protective specificities, of TSOL18 are conformational epitopes.

Pig-farming systems and porcine cysticercosis in the north of Cameroon.

A survey was conducted in 150 households owning 1756 pigs in the rural areas of Mayo-Danay division in the north of Cameroon. A questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on the pig-farming system and to identify potential risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis infection in pigs. Blood samples were collected from 398 pigs with the aim of estimating the seroprevalence of T. solium cysticercosis. The results showed that 90.7% of the pigs are free roaming during the dry season and that 42.7% of households keeping pigs in the rural areas have no latrine facility. Seventy-six per cent of the interviewed pig owners confirmed that members of the household used open-field defecation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antigen and antibody detection showed an apparent prevalence of cysticercosis of 24.6% and 32.2%, respectively. A Bayesian approach, using the conditional dependence between the two diagnostic tests, indicated that the true seroprevalence of cysticercosis in Mayo-Danay was 26.6%. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that a lack of knowledge of the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex and the absence of a pig pen in the household were associated with pig cysticercosis.

Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in North Belgium: Prevalence and trends in distribution.

A cross-sectional systematic sampling was carried out during three consecutive winters from 2012 to 2015, to update the knowledge on the fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) distribution in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Flanders. Earlier studies reported the low endemicity status of this tapeworm in the northern region of Belgium, in contrast to the south of the country and neighbouring countries. Using a modified Segmental Sedimentation and Counting Technique, followed by PCR-RFLP and sequencing, 923 foxes' intestines were examined for the presence of E. multilocularis. Based on microscopic examination, 38 out of 923 foxes were suspected to be infected with either E. multilocularis or Amoebotaenia spp., of which 19 were molecularly confirmed to be E. multilocularis, 18 were found positive for Amoebotaenia spp. and one was negative. The overall prevalence for E. multilocularis of 2.1% confirms the low endemicity of the fox tapeworm in Flanders. However, in one area in the most eastern part of Flanders (Voeren), neighbouring the Netherlands and Wallonia, a prevalence of 57% (12/21) was observed. Continuous monitoring of the fox tapeworm remains needed to assess spatio-temporal trends in distribution and to assess the risk of this zoonotic infection in Europe. The challenging differential diagnosis of E. multilocularis and Amoebotaenia spp. based on microscopic examination calls for attention.

Prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and hydatidosis in Jimma municipal abattoir, South West Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and hydatidosis was conducted from October 2007 to March 2008 in cattle slaughtered at the Jimma municipal abattoir. Cyst distribution and viability of bovine cysticercosis and hydatidosis were also determined. A total of 512 carcasses were inspected of which 15 (2.93%) and 161 (31.44%) were infected with Taenia saginata metacestodes and hydatid cysts, respectively. From a total of 109 cysticerci collected from infected carcasses, 47 (43.12%) were viable. The anatomical distribution of the cysticerci was, shoulder muscle (39.5%), heart (33.9%), neck muscle (13.8%), tongue (10.1%), masseter muscles (1.8%) and diaphragm (0.9%). Of the 1171 hydatid cysts collected 223 (19.0%) were fertile, 505 (43.1%) sterile, 49 (29.8%) calcified and 94 (8.0%) contained pus. A greater proportion of fertile cysts were found in the lungs than in other organs. It was concluded that these zoonotic cestodes deserve due attention to safeguard public health, and that further studies are needed on genotyping, epidemiology and public health importance of Echinococcus granulosus in the study area.

Taenia solium control in Zambia: The potholed road to success.

The taeniosis/cysticercosis neglected zoonotic disease complex is caused by Taenia solium, and is associated with significant economic and public health impacts. This paper reviews the current knowledge on T. solium in Zambia and the control strategies already studied, covering almost 20 years of research, and explores the way forward. Studies on occurrence of porcine cysticercosis indicated very high prevalences, ranging from 15 to 34% based on detection of circulating antigens, and of 46% to 68% based on full carcass dissection in slaughter age pigs. Taeniosis prevalences have been reported to range from 6.3% to 12% based on copro-Ag-ELISA. Human cysticercosis prevalence results ranged from 5.8% to 13% based on serum Ag-ELISA, and from 34% to 39% based on sero-antibody detection. Later on, a study in people with epilepsy suggested neurocysticercosis to be the single most important cause of epilepsy in this T. solium endemic area, with 57% of the people with active epilepsy diagnosed with probable or definite neurocysticercosis. While the need to reduce the disease burden of T. solium in Zambia is obvious, the exact short and long term goals, and the strategies to achieve these goals, are not clear. We have selected the most promising control/elimination strategies from reviews and assessed these for feasibility via discussions with local stakeholders from both medical and veterinary sectors. The proposed measures were evaluated using the newly developed agent-based disease transmission model, cystiSim and optimised using Zambian demographic and disease data. As a control option, yearly porcine treatments were selected as best option, while the preferred strategy for elimination was determined to be the combination of human and porcine mass drug administration combined with porcine vaccination of all eligible people and pigs, in a schedule of six iterations of four monthly interventions. These interventions are currently being field tested, combined with education. Several other hurdles to control, such as cost and socio-political factors and the need for an improved advocacy and awareness creation are discussed.

Serological responses in porcine cysticercosis: a link with the parasitological outcome of infection.

An oral infection model with Taenia solium whole proglottids was used to study host-parasite relationships and the mechanisms underlying resistance to infection in pigs. In addition, an attempt was made to link the parasitological findings to serological data. Groups of six piglets aged 1, 3 and 5 months were infected and slaughtered 3 months p.i. Circulating antibody and antigen levels were monitored weekly. At autopsy total cyst counts were performed. Although the detailed carcass dissection at necropsy revealed a high variation in the number of cysts, the trend was that the number of viable cysts decreased with the age at which the animals were infected. The kinetics of the antigen levels throughout the course of the infection differed markedly between the three age groups of the experimental infection model. In the younger animals, a fast increase in titres of circulating antigen was observed in most animals, reaching a plateau as early as 2 weeks p.i. Besides its faster increase, antigen levels in pigs infected at younger ages also reached higher levels than in older animals and were associated with weaker antibody responses. Results also demonstrated that a relationship exists between the number of cysts and the titre of circulating antigen. This is promising in view of the development of an assay to quantify the progress of an active T. solium infection and would be a useful tool in epidemiological studies to assess the infection burden and the risk of transmission of the disease. The use of specific antibody-detection assays combined with circulating antigen detection could improve our understanding of this relationship.

Use of ProteinChip technology for identifying biomarkers of parasitic diseases: the example of porcine cysticercosis (Taenia solium).

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a significant public health problem in endemic countries. The current serodiagnostic techniques are not able to differentiate between infections with viable cysts and infections with degenerated cysts. The objectives of this study were to identify specific novel biomarkers of these different disease stages in the serum of experimentally infected pigs using ProteinChip technology (Bio-Rad) and to validate these biomarkers by analyzing serum samples from naturally infected pigs. In the experimental sample set 30 discriminating biomarkers (p<0.05) were found, 13 specific for the viable phenotype, 9 specific for the degenerated phenotype and 8 specific for the infected phenotype (either viable or degenerated cysts). Only 3 of these biomarkers were also significant in the field samples; however, the peak profiles were not consistent among the two sample sets. Five biomarkers discovered in the sera from experimentally infected pigs were identified as clusterin, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, vitronectin, haptoglobin and apolipoprotein A-I.

Parasitic infections in dairy cattle around Hanoi, northern Vietnam.

In northern Vietnam, dairy cattle are mainly managed in small-scale farms, where animals are kept confined and feeding occurs by cut and carry methods. In the present study the occurrence of parasitic infections was examined in five provinces around Hanoi. A total of 201 farms were visited, and 334 stool and 239 blood samples were collected from calves younger than 3 months, animals between 3 and 24 months and adult cows. Furthermore, 254 milk samples were collected from lactating animals. Coproscopical examination indicated a high prevalence of nematode eggs (Cooperia spp., Haemonchus and Oesophagostomum spp.) in animals (n=176) between 3 and 24 months (66%) and in adult cows (n=90; 54%). In these age groups the prevalence of Fasciola was 28% and 39%, respectively, and for Paramphistomum the prevalence was 78% and 82%, respectively. Fifty percent of the calves younger than 3 months (n=68) were positive for Giardia, and none for Cryptosporidium. Most Giardia isolates were identified as the non-zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblage E on the beta-giardin gene. The blood samples were examined with commercially available Svanovir((R))Elisa's for the presence of Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina specific antibodies, and a prevalence of 28% and 54% was found, respectively. In the milk samples Neospora caninum specific antibodies (Svanovir((R))Elisa) were detected in 30% of the lactating animals. The present study demonstrates that parasitic infections occur frequently in dairy cattle around Hanoi although animals are mainly kept confined, and indicates that further research on the economic impact of these infections is needed.

Prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in swine from a community-based study in 21 villages of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, causative organism of porcine cysticercosis and human neurocysticercosis is known to occur in areas of South Africa including Eastern Cape Province but, despite increasing reports of its occurrence throughout the subregion, the prevalence is yet to be clearly established. The parasite presents a potentially serious agricultural problem and public health risk in endemic areas. The human populations considered to be at highest risk of infection with this zoonotic helminth are people living in rural areas most of whom earn their livelihood wholly or partially through livestock rearing. Here we report on initial results of a community-based study of pigs owned by resource-poor, emerging pig producers from 21 villages in the Eastern Cape Province. Lingual examination (tongue palpation) in live pigs, two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which detect parasite antigen (B158/B60 Ag-ELISA and HP10 Ag-ELISA) and an enzyme immunotransfer blot (EITB) assay, which detects antiparasite antibody, were used to verify endemicity and estimate apparent prevalence. In the absence of a gold standard true prevalence was obtained, using a Bayesian approach, with a model that uses both available data and prior information. Results indicate that the parasite is indeed present in the study villages and that true prevalence was 64.6%. The apparent prevalences as measured by each of the four tests were: 11.9% for lingual examination, 54.8% for B158/B60 Ag-ELISA, 40.6% for HP10 Ag-ELISA and 33.3% for EITB. This base-line knowledge of the prevalence of T. solium in pigs provides information essential to the design and monitoring of sustainable and appropriate interventions for cysticercosis prevention and control.

Risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis in traditional cattle of the livestock/wildlife interface areas in the Kafue basin of Zambia.

We conducted a cross-sectional study from August 2003 to February 2004 to identify risk factors for bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in the Kafue basin of Zambia. We investigated a total of 106 herds of cattle for presence of BTB using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CITT) while an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather epidemiological data on herd structure, management and grazing strategies. BTB prevalence at herd level was estimated and possible risk factors were investigated using the multiple logistic regression model. The true herd level prevalence of BTB was estimated at 49.8% (95% CI: 37.9, 61.7%). The logistic regression model showed that cattle herd BTB status was highly associated with area and husbandry practices. When compared to Kazungula, cattle herds in Blue Lagoon were more likely to test positive for BTB when other factors such as management practices were controlled (OR=10.5). In terms of grazing strategies, transhumant herds (TH) had higher odds (OR=3.0) of being positive compared to sedentary herds (OR=1.0). The results in this study provide preliminary information about potential risk factors that were found to be associated with BTB status in cattle.