Taenia species and Toxoplasma gondii are zoonotic parasites transmitted through food, posing health risks to humans and pigs. In Burundi, data on their prevalence in pigs is scarce. This study aimed to quantify the occurrence of Taenia spp. using meat inspection, partial carcass dissection, and molecular methods, and to assess T. gondii exposure through serological testing. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in slaughter facilities in Bujumbura city, Kayanza, and Ngozi provinces, sampling 576 pigs through a multisite collection strategy. Blood samples were obtained at slaughter for indirect ELISA targeting the T. gondii P30 protein. Routine meat inspection was conducted to identify T. solium and T. hydatigena cysticerci, while the tongue, heart, and masseter muscles were sliced (<5 mm) to evaluate cysticerci burden and developmental stages. Selected cysticerci and suspicious lesions were analyzed using PCR-RFLP to confirm species identity. Meat inspection detected T. solium in 2.4% of pigs, whereas partial carcass dissection revealed 11.6% positive cases. PCR-RFLP confirmed 11.5% as T. solium. The average cysticerci count per infected pig was 80, predominantly in the masseter muscles (76.1%), followed by the tongue (18.8%) and heart (5.1%). Most cysticerci (88.3%) were viable, with smaller proportions being calcified (6.4%) or degenerated (5.3%). Infection intensity was light in 69%, moderate in 13.4%, and heavy in 17.9% of infected pigs. T. hydatigena was suspected in 5.5% of pigs and confirmed in 4.2%. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 17.7%. Both T. solium and T. gondii are present in Burundian pigs, highlighting a significant public health concern. Comprehensive control strategies—including improved pig management, hygiene, meat inspection, safe food handling, and treatment of tapeworm carriers—are essential to reduce transmission to humans and livestock.
