Background: Bovine cysticercosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases caused by the metacestode stage of the human tapeworm Taenia saginata. The public health and economic consequences of this parasite may be considerable due to downgrading and the condemnation of carcasses. Therefore, this survey was designed to estimate the prevalence, economic losses and food safety importance of cattle cysticercosis at Kermanshah abattoir, west of Iran.

Methods: This study is a retrospective survey covering a period from March 2006 to March 2013. All daily condemnation records for cattle in the municipal abattoir of livestock animals in Kermanshah (the capital of Kermanshah province, west of Iran) were used as the sources of data. As part of an ongoing surveillance system, each slaughtered animal was examined individually by official meat inspectors. Statistical analysis was carried out using software SPSS version 16.0.

Results: From a total of 361787 cattle examined during this period, 284 (0.078%) were found infected with Cysticercus bovis; among those 183 (0.05%) of carcasses were treated and 101 (0.028%) of carcasses were condemned. Seasonal analysis revealed significantly higher (p<0.05) prevalence in summer. The rejected carcasses and infected organs were valued at 112302 USD over this period.

Conclusion: The findings obtained from this epidemiological investigation could be useful in order to design a comprehensive disease control strategy for cattle cysticercosis in this region of Iran.