Epidemiology of Taeniosis/Cysticercosis in Humans and Animals

Abstract

Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, and Taenia asiatica popularly known as beef, pork, and Asian tapeworm, are important food-borne parasites. Human taeniosis occurs as a zoonotic consequence of consumption of raw or under-cooked meat contaminated by viable larvae of T. saginata (Cysticercus bovis), T. solium (Cysticercus cellulosae) and T. asiatica (Cysticercus viscerotropica) and further development of their adult forms in human intestines. T. solium is highly endemic in pork-consuming poor communities of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, T. asiatica is restricted to Asia and is mainly confirmed in South Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand, while T. saginata is distributed worldwide. Tapeworms cause cysticercosis in pigs and cattle (intermediate hosts) and taeniosis in humans (definitive host). Cysticercosis can also affect people who unintentionally swallow T. solium eggs—contaminated soil, water, or food (mainly vegetables) or through self-infection or person-to-person transmission when hygiene practices are insufficient. In humans, human cysticercosis or neurocysticercosis is frequently caused by cysticerci that establish in the central nervous system. Given the effect of T. solium on public health and the potential negative effects of T. saginata and T. asiatica on the economy and trade, defining risk factors, reporting of taeniosis and human cysticercosis is crucial, and surveillance and notification methods in animals should be strengthened.