Taenia Solium Research Articles

Treatment outcome in patients with spinal neurocysticercosis: a systematic review of published cases and case series.

Spinal neurocysticercosis is a rare central nervous system infection caused by the larval form of the Taenia solium. Due to its rarity, most knowledge is derived from isolated case reports. This review aims to evaluate existing case reports and observational studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the disease's clinical presentation and treatment outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was performed across various databases. The review included case reports, case series, and observational studies, and it is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024496957). This review analyzed 206 spinal neurocysticercosis cases (from 171 published reports). Symptoms persisted for one week to six months in 49% of cases, and common presentations included paraparesis/quadriparesis (61.7%) and neck/limb/back pain (40.8%). CSF abnormalities were observed in 23.8%. Thoracic involvement was most frequent (39.3%), followed by cervical (27.2%). Neurocysticercosis lesions in other regions, primarily the brain, were found in 18.9%. Differential diagnoses included spinal cord tumors (13.1%). Treatment often involved surgery alone (32%) or with cysticidal drugs (45.6%), with a 91.3% improvement rate, indicating favorable outcomes. Spinal neurocysticercosis primarily affects the thoracic and cervical regions. Most patients respond well to medical therapy; surgery is mainly for progressive neurological deficits.

Accuracy of immunological tests on serum and urine for diagnosis of Taenia solium neurocysticercosis: A systematic review.

Taenia solium neurocysticercosis is a zoonotic neglected tropical disease, for which adequate diagnostic management is paramount, especially in patients with active cysts for whom improved and timely management could prove beneficial. Immunodiagnosis can potentially partially mitigate the necessity for neuroimaging, shortening the diagnostic -and treatment- pathway. An up-to-date review of immunological test performance is however lacking. Searches were performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus (up to January 2024), with included records fitting the review scope, i.e. accuracy evaluation of an antibody-/or antigen-detecting immunological test, using serum or urine of humans confirmed via reference standard (i.e. neuroimaging or surgery/biopsy). Record data was assessed, with classification of descriptive data on cyst localization and stage according to a developed confidence scale, and with selection of tests evaluated on a sufficiently high sample size. A QUADAS-2 risk of bias assessment was performed. After screening, 169 records were included for data collection, with 53 records-corresponding to 123 tests- selected for analysis. Absence of data and large data heterogeneity complicated result interpretation. The lentil lectin-bound glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunoelectrotranfser blot seems to fulfill high accuracy standards regarding detection of parenchymal active multiple cysts; also antigen-detecting tests on serum and urine performed well, additionally in detection of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis. A novel multi-antigen print immunoassay is highly promising, with sensitivity for detection of extraparenchymal and parenchymal active single and multiple cysts of 100.0%, and specificity of 98.5%. Point-of-care tests showed promising results, however require further evaluation in targeted resource-poor settings. The review highlights the importance of transparent and unambiguous data reporting. With promising immunological tests in development, the challenge before usage in targeted settings will be to perform large-scale evaluations whilst holding into account both optimized test performance and ease of use. Accessibility to validated tests and feasibility of implementation should also be considered.

Racemose neurocysticercosis of the basal arachnoid cisterns: illustrative case.

Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the helminth Taenia solium. Racemose neurocysticercosis is a rare form of the disease that specifically involves cerebrospinal fluid-filled spaces in the brain and carries a high rate of complications and mortality. This report describes the case of a 37-year-old man who developed headaches and nausea, which were found to be secondary to racemose neurocysticercosis. He ultimately required an endoscopic third ventriculostomy, which provided transient symptom relief. In the weeks following the procedure, his symptoms returned, at which point a recommendation to proceed with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was made. The presentation of racemose neurocysticercosis is wide-ranging and often nonspecific. Patients who respond well to initial surgical management with endoscopic third ventriculostomy can still require more durable measures, such as a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, in the following months. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24489.

High prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in slaughtered pigs in Rwanda: An abattoir survey.

Porcine cysticercosis (PC) is an important public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, but limited information is available on the prevalence of infection in pigs entering the food chain. Existing diagnostic methods vary in accuracy and efficiency; whole carcass dissection is the most reliable method but is labour-intensive and destroys the carcass so can only be used in a research setting. Serological tests offer lower specificity, while meat inspection and lingual examination lack sensitivity, hampering accurate estimates and the removal of infected pigs from the food chain. Here, we provide the first estimates of PC prevalence in abattoirs in Rwanda. We use whole carcass dissection to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a commercial antigen-ELISA to estimate the true prevalence of infection across Rwanda and identify Taenia species affecting local pigs. We carried out a cross-sectional survey in 6 abattoirs across Rwanda (n = 744 pigs), with whole carcass dissection of a subset of 67 pigs. Cysts were detected in 20/67 (30%) of carcasses, with >1000 cysts in 9/20 (45%) of infected pigs. All cysts were identified as Taenia solium by PCR-RFLP, with no cysts of Taenia hydatigena found. The antigen-ELISA showed a sensitivity of 90% (95% CI: 68-99) and specificity of 85% (95% CI: 72-94), when compared to dissection. Using these estimates, the true prevalence was calculated as 25-43% in two abattoirs in south-west Rwanda, and 2-3% in the rest of the country. Fewer than half of infected pigs were detected by tongue palpation and post-mortem veterinary inspection. Our data indicate a high prevalence of PC in Rwandan abattoirs. Tongue palpation and veterinary inspections, as currently carried out, have little impact in removing cyst-infested pigs from the food chain. Additional interventions are needed, such as proper pig husbandry, treatment and vaccination against cysticercosis, health education, improved sanitation and hygiene, and improved processing and cooking of meat.

Miniature pigs as the intermediate host for Taenia asiatica

Taenia asiatica, utilizing pigs as an intermediate host, degenerates and/or calcifies within a few months after infection in pigs, whereas Taenia solium, also using pigs as an intermediate host, can develop into a mature metacestode within a couple of months and can survive for prolong periods in pigs. This raises the question of whether pigs are suitable intermediate hosts for T. asiatica. The host-parasite relationships between T. asiatica and pig strains, such as infection rates and development of metacestodes, have been reported in previous studies: however, little is known about the pathological changes that occur in T. asiatica metacestodes in pigs. Therefore, in the present study, the pathological changes in T. asiatica within 30 days of infection were observed using CLAWN miniature pigs as model animals. Metacestodes were observed on the diaphragmatic surface and throughout the parenchyma of the pig liver 9 days after infection; however, these metacestodes were surrounded by eosinophilic abscesses, and some had already begun to degenerate. By day 20 and 30 post-infection, metacestodes were surrounded by eosinophilic abscesses and had completely degenerated without forming a scolex. These results indicate that although T. asiatica infected miniature pigs, the metacestodes degenerated owing to strong immune responses from the pigs. Therefore, the CLAWN miniature pig are not a suitable intermediate host for T. asiatica. The possible reasons why T. asiatica metacestodes were degenerated and the potential roles of pigs in transmitting the parasite to humans in T. asiatica-endemic regions are discussed in this study. Additionally, data debating whether pigs are suitable intermediate hosts for T. asiatica are provided.

The Evolution of a Ring-Enhancing Lesion

We report a case of probable neurocysticercosis in a 30-year-old non-Hispanic Caucasian patient without international travel history who presented with breakthrough seizures and a ring-enhancing lesion with perilesional edema. He first developed seizures two years prior, and his workup then demonstrated a single ring-enhancing lesion that was initially attributed to head trauma. On his presentation for breakthrough seizures, his ring-enhancing lesion demonstrated new perilesional edema, and on repeat imaging one month later, near resolution of the cystic lesion. His serum and cerebrospinal fluid serologies for Taenia solium were negative. Of note, the patient reports a friend who developed seizures at around the same time. While this patients demographics, lack of travel history, and negative serologies are not typical of neurocysticercosis in the United States, the characteristic evolution of his cystic lesion from the vesicular to the granular stage on MRI with late-onset perilesional edema and a classical presentation of seizures is most consistent with neurocysticercosis. Considering the absence of other epidemiological risk factors and the occurrence of seizures in close contact during the same timeframe, we hypothesize that the patient was exposed to T. solium through the consumption of contaminated food in the United States.

Visual field defects in neurocysticercosis: A rare presentation

Neurocysticercosis is one of the commonest helminthic infections which affects central nervous system in humans and is caused by a tapeworm , Taenia solium. A 46-year-old male patient reported with complaint of restricted visual field in the left eye for one week. His best-corrected visual acuity was 6/6 partial, N6 in both eyes. Perimetry confirmed left homonymous hemianopia. The patient was referred to a neurophysician and based on magnetic resonance imaging brain and positron emission tomography scan, the patient was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis. The subject was started on oral medications following which the lesion resolved and improvement in visual fields was seen at one month follow-up. Ophthalmic manifestations of neurocysticercosis are variable and may include rare symptoms like visual field defects. A multimodal imaging and multidisciplinary approach can be helpful in the early diagnosis and faster recovery in patients with neurocysticercosis.

Could a ring treatment approach be proposed to control Taenia solium transmission in a post elimination setting? A pilot study in Zambia.

Geographically targeted Taenia solium ring approaches consisting of treating individuals within a radius of 100-meter of a cysticercosis positive pig have been trialled in Peru. This study explored if a similar approach could be proposed to control T. solium transmission in a post elimination setting in Zambia, focussing on community members' willingness to be sampled and treated. The study was conducted in a community where elimination of active T. solium transmission was achieved. All eligible pigs and people were sampled, at 4- to 6-monthly intervals, followed by implementation of the ring treatment approach. This implied that whenever a pig was seropositive for cysticercosis during sampling, every human and pig residing in a radius of 50-meters of the seropositive pig would be treated. The results of the positive human stool samples were used to create the rings, whenever no pigs were positive. From June 2018 to October 2019, four samplings, followed by ring treatments were conducted. Between 84% and 91% of the willing people provided a stool sample, covering 46% to 59% of the total population living in the study area. Between 78% and 100% of the eligible pigs got sampled. Three ring treatments were based on porcine seropositivity and one on taeniosis results. Two to four rings were opened per sampling. During the ring treatments, between 89% and 100% of the eligible human and pig population living within a ring was treated. Participants were willing to participate and get treatment, once the rings were opened. However, the utility of ring treatment approaches in a post elimination setting needs further evaluation, given the lack of highly accurate diagnostic tools for porcine cysticercosis and the challenges in obtaining stool samples. The ring treatment approach adopted should be further improved before recommendations to public health authorities can be given.

Diagnostic dilemma: axillary cysticercosis masquerading as breast mass

Cysticercosis, caused by the tapeworm Taenia solium, is a significant public health concern, particularly prevalent in developing nations. We present a case of isolated cysticercosis in the axillary region, mimicking a breast mass, in a 47-year-old woman who presented with a gradually enlarging mass in her right axilla and was initially diagnosed with fibroadenoma. However, further investigations revealed cysticercosis in the larvae, including ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The patient underwent surgical excision of the cysts following a two-week course of albendazole therapy. Histopathological examination confirmed cysticercosis with a foreign body giant cell reaction. Cysticercosis typically involves muscular and subcutaneous tissues, posing diagnostic challenges due to its resemblance to other conditions. Ultrasonography, FNAC, and MRI play crucial roles in accurate diagnosis. Treatment involves a combination of surgical removal and antiparasitic medications such as albendazole. This case highlights the importance of considering cysticercosis in differential diagnosis, especially in endemic regions, and underscores the effectiveness of a comprehensive treatment approach integrating medical therapy and surgical intervention. Effective management ensures the eradication of parasitic infection and the alleviation of associated symptoms, exemplifying patient-cantered care for optimal outcomes. Increased awareness, preventive measures, and early diagnosis are essential for mitigating the burden of cysticercosis, particularly in regions with poor sanitation and high prevalence rates.

Neurocysticercosis- An overlooked tropical disease

Introduction. Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a parasitic disease caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium (T. solium), is a significant public health concern in endemic countries. It is estimated to contribute to roughly 30% of all epilepsy cases and leads to chronic morbidity in nearly 70% of affected patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-cysticercus antibodies to T. solium in individuals with recent-onset seizures. We employed two serological techniques: Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) and Enzyme-Linked Immuno Transfer Blot (EITB). Materials and Methods: A total of 100 serum samples were collected: 50 from patients experiencing recent-onset seizures (cases) and 50 from age-matched healthy controls. All samples were analyzed for the presence of anti-cysticercus antibodies to T. solium. Results: Among the 50 cases, EITB detected anti-cysticercus antibodies in six patients (12%), while ELISA identified antibodies in three patients (6%). Notably, only two cases tested positive using both EITB and ELISA. In the control group, one individual was seropositive by EITB, and none were positive by ELISA. Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role of implementing high-quality screening methods, employing a vigilant diagnostic approach, and taking prompt preventive measures to mitigate the burden of morbidity associated with NCC.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis and toxoplasmosis/cysticercosis coinfection in patients with schizophrenia: a case-control study

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and the helminth Taenia solium have been associated with the development of psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of these infections alone and/or in coinfection in a group of patients with schizophrenia and their respective control groups, in addition to assessing the epidemiological profile of these populations and risk factors. Serum samples from 31 individuals with schizophrenia and 31 control individuals were investigated for the presence of specific antibodies against T. solium and/or T. gondii by the ELISA method. A questionnaire was administered to all participants to determine the risk factors for the infections assessed. Toxoplasmosis is present in 58.1% of individuals with schizophrenia and 48.4% of control individuals. Toxoplasmosis/cysticercosis coinfection was observed in 6.5% of individuals with schizophrenia. The act of washing hands before meals was associated with infection by T. gondii in individuals with schizophrenia. There is a high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in individuals with schizophrenia, where the lack of hygienic habits is an important risk factor for acquiring the disease. The identification of toxoplasmosis/cysticercosis coinfection exclusively in individuals with schizophrenia demonstrates that both infections may be prevalent in individuals with this disorder.

Neurocysticercosis Prevalence and Characteristics in Communities of Sinda District in Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed at describing the epidemiology of (neuro)cysticercosis as well as its clinical and radiological characteristics in a Taenia solium endemic district of Zambia. This was part of a cross-sectional community-based study conducted in Sinda district to evaluate an antibody-detecting T. solium point-of-care (TS POC) test for taeniosis and (neuro)cysticercosis. All TS POC cysticercosis positive (CC+) participants and a subset of the TS POC cysticercosis negative (CC-) received a clinical evaluation and cerebral computed tomography (CT) examination for neurocysticercosis (NCC) diagnosis and staging. Of the 1249 participants with a valid TS POC test result, 177 (14%) were TS POC CC+ . Cysticercosis sero-prevalence was estimated to be 20.1% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 14.6-27.0%). In total, 233 participants received a CT examination (151 TS POC CC+ , 82 TS POC CC-). Typical NCC lesions were present in 35/151 (23%) TS POC CC+ , and in 10/82 (12%) TS POC CC- participants. NCC prevalence was 13.5% (95% CI 8.4-21.1%) in the study population and 38.0% (95% CI 5.2-87.4%) among people reporting epileptic seizures. Participants with NCC were more likely to experience epileptic seizures (OR = 3.98, 95% CI 1.34-11.78, p = 0.01) than those without NCC, although only 7/45 (16%) people with NCC ever experienced epileptic seizures. The number of lesions did not differ by TS POC CC status (median: 3 [IQR 1-6] versus 2.5 [IQR 1-5.3], p = 0.64). Eight (23%) of the 35 TS POC CC+ participants with NCC had active stage lesions; in contrast none of the TS POC CC- participants was diagnosed with active NCC. NCC is common in communities in the Eastern province of Zambia, but a large proportion of people remain asymptomatic.

A Bibliometric Analysis on Taenia Saginata

Taenia saginata (T. saginata), is a zoonotic helminth with a global distribution that causes taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in cattle. Currently, Taenia saginata poses health risks to humans and causes economic losses in the livestock sector. The aim of this study is to explore the definition of T. saginata in the scientific community and the evolution of studies in this field through bibliometric analysis. The Web of Science database was used to search the literature on Taenia saginata. All English research articles published in the Web of Science database between 1980 and 2024 were identified. The data were analyzed using the “Bibliometrix” package of R programming language and VOSviewer. In the research conducted with 491 studies published in 168 journals, the most influential authors, countries and institutes as well as the most frequently used keywords for T. saginata were identified. Veterinary Parasitology was identified as the most influential journal in the field with 32 articles and 1017 citations. The most productive country was England, while Japan had the highest Multiple Country Publication rate. The most influential authors were Leslie Jayne Stevenson Harrison, Akira Ito, and Pierre Dorny. The most frequently used author keywords were “Taenia saginata”, “Taenia solium”, and “Cysticercosis”. This bibliometric study presents an overview of Taenia saginata research, including advancements and research collaborations in the field. Taeniasis remains a major problem in underdeveloped countries, particularly on the African continent. Control and eradication of taeniasis outbreaks in these regions should be prioritised, and given the potential for other countries to be affected by migration, research institutions in developed countries should initiate and fund joint projects with less developed countries.

Concurrent Extraparenchymal and Spinal Neurocysticercosis in an Immunocompetent Patient Treated for Obstructive Hydrocephalus and Spinal Cord Compression

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a condition caused by infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by Taenia solium, or pork tapeworm, larvae. Despite commonly infecting the CNS, it may be easily misdiagnosed for more common pathologies, such as arachnoid cysts or tumors. Though most frequently seen in endemic areas, immigration patterns are altering its traditional distribution. Extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis (including ventricular, spinal, and subarachnoid types) carries a poorer prognosis Objective: We present a case of NCC presenting in a young immunocompetent patient which was initially thought to be an arachnoid cyst due to non-pathognomonic imaging results and symptoms. This case illustrates a challenging NCC diagnosis. Case Report: A 24-year-old male without known past medical history presented with 2 years of chronic headache, 2 months of blurry vision in the left eye, and 1 week of progressive nausea and vomiting found to have aqueductal stenosis with obstructive hydrocephalus and bilateral 1.5 cm, peripherally-enhancing cystic lesions of the cerebellopontine angle with associated mass effect, initially described as arachnoid cysts, as well as a left sided foramen magnum cyst. He had an external ventricular drain placed and later underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) insertion. He presented 10 days later with sepsis symptoms and the initial workup was concerning for tuberculosis-associated meningitis and he underwent shunt externalization and re-internalization after clinical improvement, though he was lost to follow up. Two months later he presented with acute urinary retention and right sided weakness. He had spinal cord compression of the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar spine due to cystic lesion and underwent right C7-T1 and T10-T11 hemilaminotomies for cyst resection, with pathology consistent with NCC. Conclusion: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a complex disease which is largely overlooked and is increasing in prevalence in non-endemic areas such as the United States. NCC has various symptoms and presentations depending on location and progression of larval development, which may mimic more common pathologies. The clinical manifestations depend on the parasite load and the host’s immune response regarding their location in CNS and their evolutionary stage. There are two types of NCC, the parenchymal and the extraparenchymal form. The extraparenchymal racemose NCC has the worst prognosis among all forms of NCC with mortality ranging between 30% and 80%. This reinforces the need for a broad differential diagnosis in these scenarios, as well as the importance of close Infectious Disease follow up for patients diagnosed with concurrent cranial and spinal NCC.

Neuroimaging findings from a case of neurocysticercosis

Introduction: Human cysticercosis occurs when humans ingest Taenia solium eggs from the fecal-oral route. The infection in the central nervous system is called neurocysticercosis and is considered the principal cause of late-onset epilepsy in endemic countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Case report: 71-year-old female in a state of neglect with a medical history of untreated rheumatoid arthritis. She presented her first seizure episode. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging with contrast reported parenchymal and subarachnoid neurocysticercosis in different stages. Discussion: The high incidence of neurocysticercosis in endemic countries is associated with poverty conditions such as less hygienic conditions and permanent contact with domestic animals. The four stages of classification of neurocysticercosis is useful for pathologists and radiologists to identify the life cycle of the parasite within the body and the specific imaging findings of each phase. After diagnosis, treatment includes the use of niclosamide or praziquantel. Conclusions: neurocysticercosis is a public health problem in endemic countries that requires further attention. Clinical manifestations are variable and neuroimaging findings are essential to making a correct diagnosis.

Surgical Management of Spinal Cysticercosis: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Neurocysticercosis is a notorious—albeit relatively rare—parasitic infection of the nervous system caused by ingestion of embryonated eggs or gravid proglottids of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. 1 Most cases appear intracranially and can present with seizures and/or headache; far fewer affect the spinal canal alone. 1-6 We describe a case of a 66-year-old Hispanic man with isolated spinal cysticercosis presenting to the emergency department initially with axial back pain. After lumbar x-rays and a computed tomography scan failed to find any pathology, he was discharged home without neurosurgical consultation. A week later he would re-present to the same emergency department with worsening back pain and new neurologic deficits, prompting an MRI revealing pathology within the lumbar spinal canal. After consultation, the neurosurgical team discussed management strategies and eventually opted for surgical exploration of the patient's lumbar spine. This exploration eventually culminated in an intradural exploration, revealing an impressive string of interconnected larval cysts of the T. solium tapeworm within the cauda equina. The patient's neurologic condition improved immediately after surgery, and final pathologic examination supported a diagnosis of spinal cysticercosis, prompting the appropriate workup and medical treatment. He would ultimately make a full recovery and continues to follow-up with infectious disease at our institution. The patient consented to the surgical intervention described herein after a discussion of its risks, benefits, and alternatives. Institutional review board and ethics committee approval was not sought because the intervention did not constitute experimental surgery, but rather represented standard of care given the patient's condition on presentation.

Transcriptomic analysis of subarachnoid cysts of Taenia solium reveals mechanisms for uncontrolled proliferation and adaptations to the microenvironment

Subarachnoid neurocysticercosis (SANCC) is caused by an abnormally transformed form of the metacestode or larval form of the tapeworm Taenia solium. In contrast to vesicular parenchymal and ventricular located cysts that contain a viable scolex and are anlage of the adult tapeworm, the subarachnoid cyst proliferates to form aberrant membranous cystic masses within the subarachnoid spaces that cause mass effects and acute and chronic arachnoiditis. How subarachnoid cyst proliferates and interacts with the human host is poorly understood, but parasite stem cells (germinative cells) likely participate. RNA-seq analysis of the subarachnoid cyst bladder wall compared to the bladder wall and scolex of the vesicular cyst revealed that the subarachnoid form exhibits activation of signaling pathways that promote proliferation and increased lipid metabolism. These adaptions allow growth in a nutrient-limited cerebral spinal fluid. In addition, we identified therapeutic drug targets that would inhibit growth of the parasite, potentially increase effectiveness of treatment, and shorten its duration.

Investigating the Taenia solium Fatty Acid Binding Protein Superfamily for Their Immunological Outlook and Prospect for Therapeutic Targets.

Taenia solium, like other helminthic parasites, lacks key components of cellular machinery required for endogenous lipid biosynthesis. This deficiency compels the parasite to obtain all of its lipid requirements from its host. The passage of lipids across the cell membrane is tightly regulated. To facilitate effective lipid transport, the cestode parasite utilizes certain lipid binding proteins called FABPs. These FABPs bind with the lipid ligands and allow the transport of lipids across the membranes and into the cytosol. Here, by integrating a computational with homology protein prediction tools, we had identified five FABPs in the T. solium proteome. We confirmed their presence by RNA expression analysis of respective genes from the parasite's cysticerci transcript. During the molecular modeling and MD simulation studies, two of them, TsM_000544100 and TsM_001185100, were most stable. Furthermore, they had a robust interaction with the IgG1 molecule, as evidenced by MD simulation. In addition, by employing in silico screening, we had identified potential ligand interacting residues that are present on the probable druggable site. In combination with in vitro cysticidal assays, enalaprilat dihydrate showed efficacy against cysticerci, which suggests that FABPs play a significant role in the cysticercus life cycle. Together, we provided a detailed distribution of all FABPs expressed by T. solium cysticerci and the critical role of TsM_001185100 in cysticercus viability.

Circulating cell-free DNA as a biomarker for molecular diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis

Taenia solium is a widespread zoonotic tapeworm that predominantly affects regions of Latin America, South and South-East Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the presence of T. solium cysts in the brain is associated with diverse clinical manifestations, such as epilepsy, seizures, and neurological deficits. It is a significant cause of preventable epilepsy globally, accounting for approximately 30% of cases in endemic regions. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis relies on neuroimaging techniques, but these resources are often limited in low-income countries, resulting in an underestimation of the disease burden. The present study enrolled 141 patients who were clinically suspected and radiologically confirmed for NCC at the Neurology OPD of PGIMER, Chandigarh. Additionally, 98 control subjects attending the PGIMER OPD for investigation were also included. Plasma and urine samples were collected from all participants for further analysis. Cell-free DNA extraction was performed using specific kits, and the quality of the extracted DNA was assessed. The RT-LAMP assay targeted the cox1 gene. Real-time RT-LAMP results were evaluated using a fluorescence graph obtained with the Genei III fluorimeter. Among a group of patients diagnosed with NCC, the gene was identified in 74.4% of plasma samples and 67.3% of urine samples. In comparison, the T. solium cox1 gene was found in 6.1% of control subjects in plasma and urine samples using the LAMP assay. In conclusion, the study emphasises the need for improved diagnostic methods for NCC and presents promising alternatives, such as RT-LAMP and urine-based cell-free DNA analysis. These approaches offer advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and diagnostic accuracy.

Characterization of antigenic proteins of the Taenia solium postoncospheral form

Neurocysticercosis is the leading cause for acquired epilepsy worldwide, and it is caused by the larval stage of the parasite Taenia solium. Several proteins of this stage have been characterized and studied to understand the parasite-host interaction, however, the proteins from the early cysticercus stages (the postoncospheral form) have not yet been characterized. The study of the postoncospheral form proteins is important to understand the host-parasite relationship in the early stages of infection. The aim of this work was to identify postoncospheral form antigenic proteins using sera from neurocysticercosis patients. T. solium activated oncospheres were cultured in HCT-8 cells to obtain the postoncospheral form. Soluble total and excretory/secretory proteins were obtained from the postoncospheral form and were incubated with both pool sera and individual serum of neurocysticercosis positive human patients. Immunoblotting showed target antigenic proteins with apparent molecular weights of 23 kDa and 46–48 kDa. The 46–48 kDa antigen bands present in soluble total and excretory/secretory postoncospheral form proteins were analyzed by LC-MS/MS; proteins identified were: nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha, enolase, unnamed protein product/antigen diagnostic GP50, calcium binding protein calreticulin precursor and annexin. The postoncospheral form expresses proteins related to interaction with the host, some of these proteins are predicted to be exosomal proteins. In conclusion, postoncospheral proteins are consistent targets of the humoral immune response in human and may serve as targets for diagnosis and vaccines.