Serological evidence of Trichinellosis in local pigs of Nepal.

In Nepal, animal husbandry is a major source of income. Pig husbandry is practiced in rural, peri-urban, and urban communities. Free ranging "back yard" pigs and the practice of feeding offal is a very common management practice which potentially allows for the transmission of trichinellosis; however, this zoonosis has never been reported from this region. A total of 425 serum samples were collected from local pigs. These were initially screened by ELISA after which positive samples were examined by Western blot. This procedure identified two samples which had clear specific bands for Trichinella; however, muscle samples tested by HCL-pepsin digestion were found to be negative. If these highly specific serological analyses are confirmed, this would be the first report of trichinellosis in Nepal and a prevention program should be initiated to limit the access of pigs to open garbage dumps which exist both in towns and on farms.