Short report: Evidence and potential for transmission of human and swine Taenia solium cysticercosis in the Piracuruca region, Piauí, Brazil

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Nov;75(5):933-5.

Abstract

The study conducted in the Cocal dos Alves municipality, located in the Piracuruca region of Piauí State, Brazil in November of 2003 was based on both a socio-behavioral survey and analysis of serum antibodies and parasitic materials. Pig raising is the main economic activity with 91.4% using extensive farming. On the studied population, 54.3% of people did not apply any sanitary measures to wastewater, 45.7% used septic tanks, and 69.1% consumed water without treatment. The data collected indicated the occurrence and active transmission of the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex in the region. One of seven voluntary persons was positive in antibody-ELISA tests using both native and recombinant antigens. Multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing of cyst samples obtained from a pig revealed the presence of the Afro-American genotype of Taenia solium. This study revealed the occurrence of human and porcine cysticercosis in the Piracuruca region of Piauí State, middle-north of Brazil.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / diagnosis
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary*
  • Cysticercosis / epidemiology
  • Cysticercosis / physiopathology
  • Cysticercosis / transmission*
  • Cysticercosis / veterinary*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology
  • Taenia solium / immunology*