Advances in diagnosis and spatial analysis of cysticercosis and taeniasis

Parasitology. 2013 Nov;140(13):1578-88. doi: 10.1017/S0031182013001303. Epub 2013 Aug 28.

Abstract

Human cysticercosis, caused by accidental ingestion of eggs of Taenia solium, is one of the most pathogenic helminthiases and is listed among the 17 WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases. Controlling the life-cycle of T. solium between humans and pigs is essential for eradication of cysticercosis. One difficulty for the accurate detection and identification of T. solium species is the possible co-existence of two other human Taenia tapeworms (T. saginata and T. asiatica, which do not cause cysticercosis in humans). Several key issues for taeniasis/cysticercosis (T/C) evidence-based epidemiology and control are reviewed: (1) advances in immunological and molecular tools for screening of human and animals hosts and identification of Taenia species, with a focus on real-time detection of taeniasis carriers and infected animals in field community screenings, and (2) spatial ecological approaches that have been used to detect geospatial patterns of case distributions and to monitor pig activity and behaviour. Most recent eco-epidemiological studies undertaken in Sichuan province, China, are introduced and reviewed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / isolation & purification*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cysticercosis / diagnosis*
  • Cysticercosis / epidemiology
  • Cysticercosis / transmission
  • Cysticercosis / veterinary*
  • DNA, Helminth / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Neglected Diseases
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology
  • Swine Diseases / transmission
  • Taenia / classification
  • Taenia / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • DNA, Helminth