Role of porcine serum haptoglobin in the host-parasite relationship of Taenia solium cysticercosis

•The Hp-Hb complexes were abundant in sera of cysticercotic pigs.•The serum Hb-binding capacity is reduced in sera of cysticercotic pigs.•Free and functional Hp was detected in the soluble fraction of T. solium cysts.•Hp was bound by proteins present in the insoluble fraction of T. solium cysts.•The binding of Hp by cysts proteins was saturable.