[Seroprevalence of cysticercosis in the lacustrian community of Vekky, Atlantic district (Benin)].

Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease due to the infection of man with Cysticercus cellulose, the larva of Taenia solium. This disease is frequent in countries with low socio-economic development and is linked to sanitary conditions. The aim is to assess the seroprevalence of cysticercosis in the lacustrine vicinity of Vekky, located on the lake Nokoué, District Atlantic, south Benin, an epidemiological survey was undertaken in April and May 1994. The lacustrian vicinity of Vekky comprises 12 villages including 16, 142 inhabitants. Population has been sampled using cluster sampling method (n = 30) at two levels (village and household). The whole samples consisted in 319 adults (123 females and 196 males, mean of ages: 32.8 +/- 18.3). Titration of cysticercosis antibodies has been made using ELISA. Eleven patients (3 females and 8 males) showed a positive ELISA response for cysticercosis, i.e. the seroprevalence of cysticercosis was 3.5% (CI 95%:1.3-8%). There was no significant difference according to age and sex. The seroprevalence of cysticercosis reached 9.1% in patients who presented history of epilepsy. We failed to find any linkage between seropositivity and i) clinical history of epilepsy or taeniasis, or ii) several studied environmental factors such as consumption of pork, wandering of pigs, lack of veterinary supervision, religion and occupation. Human seroprevalence of cysticercosis reaches 3.5% in vicinity of Vekky, which denotes a high endemic level. Further epidemiological studies are necessary to precise the factors involving cysticercosis in this area.