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Mlowe F, Mlangwa J, Mkupasi E, Winkler AS, Nyerere AD, Churi A, Ngowi H, Karimuribo E. Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Taeniosis Reporting in the Current Medical and Veterinary Diseases Reporting Systems in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study. Vet Med Int 2024; 2024:5592872. [PMID: 38405364 PMCID: PMC10894050 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5592872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniosis (TSCT) are two forms of a zoonotic disease caused by T. solium tapeworm. Towards promotion of a One Health approach to the control of TSCT, we assessed TSCT reporting in the medical and veterinay sectors in Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and April 2020 in Babati and Mbulu districts (northern Tanzania), Kongwa district (central Tanzania), Mbinga and Nyasa districts (southern Tanzania), and the Zonal Veterinary Centres in Iringa (southern Tanzania) and Arusha (northern Tanzania) regions. A questionnaire was administered to 154 officers in charge (OsIC) of primary healthcare facilities (PHFs) and 110 meat inspectors (MIs) to collect quantitative data. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to 16 medical and 17 veterinary officers from level one healthcare facilities and district livestock offices, respectively, to their respective ministries. OsIC admitted absence of specific reporting (100%, n = 154) of T. solium taeniosis and neurocysticercosis (NCC) in the medical diseases reporting system (MDRS) despite the presence of optimum facilitation in terms of report preparation and submission (92.2%, n = 154) with 83.8% (n = 154) timely report submission rate. The veterinary diseases reporting system (VDRS) accommodated porcine cysticercosis (PCC) reporting. Nevertheless, approximately 77.3% (n = 110) of the MIs admitted inadequate facilitation in VDRS that hindered efficient reporting of PCC among other diseases. In addition, all MIs admitted that disease reports submitted were incomplete, submitted late (73.3%, n = 110), or not submitted at all (88.8%, n = 110). Similarly, KIIs results revealed suboptimal facilitation and reporting efficiency in VDRS than it was with the MDRS. It is concluded that the MDRS did not provide for specific reporting of taeniosis and NCC. Inadequate facilitation of the general VDRS hindered efficient PCC reporting despite its provision for PCC reporting. A One Health approach in strengthening the medical and veterinary diseases reporting systems for efficient TSCT reporting is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredy Mlowe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - James Mlangwa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ernatus Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Center for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Antony D. Nyerere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ayubu Churi
- Department of Informatics and Information Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Helena Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Esron Karimuribo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Adjei P, Obese V, Tang R, Manu KO, Boateng YOA, Donkor EA. Neurocysticercosis: A neglected but preventable cause of seizure in adults. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e8454. [PMID: 38268622 PMCID: PMC10805999 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis is an infection of the central nervous system caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. Although endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, it is neglected but remains a significant cause of preventable seizure in adults. Its diagnosis is challenging and is frequently missed due to its variable clinical manifestations and lack of diagnostic facilities in most areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This report discusses two cases of parenchymal neurocysticercosis in Ghanaians who presented to the emergency unit of a District Hospital with adult-onset seizures. The two cases highlight the need for a high index of suspicion and also underscore the important role of neuroimaging in the evaluation of patients presenting with adult-onset seizures in neurocysticercosis endemic areas. This is necessary for prompt detection and initiation of appropriate therapy in order to improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper Adjei
- Department of Internal MedicineMethodist HospitalWenchiGhana
| | - Vida Obese
- Directorate of Internal MedicineKomfo Anokye Teaching HospitalKumasiGhana
| | - Richard Tang
- Department of Internal MedicineMethodist HospitalWenchiGhana
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Opara NU. Cortical Blindness Due to Neurocysticercosis in an Adolescent Patient. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:96. [PMID: 35736975 PMCID: PMC9230689 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7060096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common cause of recent-onset seizures in both adults and children in tropical areas, especially when there is no other suggestion of another underlying neurological disorder. In addition, there have been reports of very rare cases of bilateral cortical blindness caused by this helminth in children. It is still unclear whether healthy adolescents with no pre-existing health problems could be vulnerable to developing such sequelae due to NCC. We report a case of a 14-year-old African boy from Nigeria with bilateral cortical blindness caused by NCC due to Taenia solium. According to the boy's mother, symptoms began with headaches, vomiting, fatigue, visual loss, and fever (40.0 °C). Clinical investigations led to a diagnosis of cortical blindness and encephalitis due to NCC. Appropriate treatment was administered, and it resulted in the resolution of most symptoms, though the patient remained permanently blind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nnennaya U Opara
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Charleston Area Medical Center, Institute for Academic Medicine, Charleston, WV 25304, USA
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Seroprevalence of Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis among Humans and Pigs in Ghana. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1031965. [PMID: 34660777 PMCID: PMC8519675 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1031965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the seroprevalence of the intestinal worms Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis in humans and pigs was assessed. A cross-sectional serological study design was performed. Blood samples were collected from 322 humans and 245 pigs used in the study. These were tested for markers of antibodies for Taenia solium and Trichinella spp. Demographic data such as sex, age, education, pig farming practices, and water source used were also obtained. An overall seroprevalence of 3.1% was recorded for Taenia solium in humans. There was also a statistical association between pig management system employed by pig farmers and seropositivity to Taenia solium (p = 0.005). Factors such as mode of waste disposal (p = 0.003) and water source used statistically correlated with Taenia solium seroprevalence among humans. For the pig samples, a Taenia solium seroprevalence of 24.9% was recorded. All the pig samples which tested positive for Taenia solium were reared on the free-ranged system. This study also recorded a seroprevalence of 0.31% for Trichinella spp. for humans and a seroprevalence of 4.5% for Trichinella spp. for pigs. Again, all the samples that showed serological evidence of Trichinella spp. among pigs came from those pigs which were raised on the free-ranged system. Proper pig management practice is a very important tool for controlling these intestinal parasites in both humans and animals. This study recommends public health education among the general public and good pig farming practices.
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Soumahoro MK, Melki J, Assi B, Kangah YL, Camara M, Tazemda-Kuitsouc GB, Nowakowski M, Yapo-Ehounoud C, Sonan T, Bellalou J, Jambou R. Seroprevalence of Cysticercosis among Epileptic Patients Attending Neurological Units in the Urban Area of Abidjan. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1712. [PMID: 34442791 PMCID: PMC8398218 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysticercosis is one of the main causes of secondary epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. To estimate the seroprevalence of cysticercosis among epileptic patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study of patients attending neurology consultation in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Methods: Patients' socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected as well as blood samples for serological testing using ELISA and Western blot based on IgG antibodies detection. For qualitative variables comparison, Chi2 or Fisher tests were used; a Student's t-test was used to compare quantitative variables. A multivariate logistic regression model was fit to identify risks factors. Results: Among 403 epileptic patients included in the study, 55.3% were male; the median age was 16.9 years; 77% lived in Abidjan; 26.5% were workers. Most patients included in the study had tonic-clonic seizures (80%), and 11.2% had focal deficit signs. The seroprevalence of cysticercosis was 6.0%. The risk was higher in patients over 30 years old (aOR = 5.1 (1.3-20.0)) than in patients under 16. The risk was also considerably high in patients who reported epileptics in the family (aOR = 5 (1.7-14.6)). The risk was three-fold less in females than in males. Conclusions: This study highlighted the exposure of epileptic patients to Taenia solium larvae in an urban area. The risk of positive serology was increased with age, male gender, and family history of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Koumba Soumahoro
- Department of Epidemiology—Clinical Research, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan 01 BP 490, Côte d’Ivoire; (Y.L.K.); (G.B.T.-K.)
| | - Jihen Melki
- Department of Parasitology, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan 01 BP 490, Côte d’Ivoire;
| | - Berthe Assi
- Neurology Department, Cocody University Hospital, Abidjan 01 BP V 13, Côte d’Ivoire; (B.A.); (C.Y.-E.)
| | - Yves Landry Kangah
- Department of Epidemiology—Clinical Research, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan 01 BP 490, Côte d’Ivoire; (Y.L.K.); (G.B.T.-K.)
| | - Mamadou Camara
- Neurology Unit, Adjamé General Hospital, Abidjan 03 BP 1856, Côte d’Ivoire;
| | - Gildas Boris Tazemda-Kuitsouc
- Department of Epidemiology—Clinical Research, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan 01 BP 490, Côte d’Ivoire; (Y.L.K.); (G.B.T.-K.)
| | - Mireille Nowakowski
- Recombinant Protein Platform, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Constance Yapo-Ehounoud
- Neurology Department, Cocody University Hospital, Abidjan 01 BP V 13, Côte d’Ivoire; (B.A.); (C.Y.-E.)
| | - Thérèse Sonan
- Neurology Department, Yopougon University Hospital, Abidjan 21 BP 632, Côte d’Ivoire;
| | - Jacques Bellalou
- Recombinant Protein Platform, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Ronan Jambou
- Department of Parasitology, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan 01 BP 490, Côte d’Ivoire;
- Global Health Department, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
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Wembulua BS, Diallo K, Diallo M, Dione MAD, Diop A, Manga NM. [Disseminated cysticercosis affecting the brain, the eye and the skin on a Senegalese patient]. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 36:379. [PMID: 33235656 PMCID: PMC7666692 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.379.22722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysticercosis is a neglected tropical disease set as health priority by WHO. Most of the reported cases included isolated types of cysticercosis affecting the skin, the eyes or the brain . Disseminated types, however, are rare. We here report a case of disseminated cysticercosis affecting the brain, the eyes and the skin in a Senegalese female patient aged 66 years admitted with headaches and chronic seizures. Clinical examination showed cerebellar syndrome associated with generalized and painless nodular subcutaneous lesions. Diagnosis was confirmed based on histopathological examination of skin biopsy which showed cysticerci. Patient's outcome was good under albendazole therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Shinga Wembulua
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre Hospitalier National Universitaire de Fann, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Kalilou Diallo
- Unité des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Université Assane Seck, Hôpital de la Paix, Ziguinchor, Sénégal
| | - Moussa Diallo
- Service de Dermatologie et Vénéréologie, Centre Hospitalier National Universitaire Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Sénégal
| | | | - Abdoulaye Diop
- Unité de Neurochirurgie, Université Assane Seck, hôpital régional, Ziguinchor, Sénégal
| | - Noel Magloire Manga
- Unité des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Université Assane Seck, Hôpital de la Paix, Ziguinchor, Sénégal
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Garcia HH, Gonzalez AE, Gilman RH. Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Its Impact in Neurological Disease. Clin Microbiol Rev 2020; 33:e00085-19. [PMID: 32461308 PMCID: PMC7254859 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00085-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium neurocysticercosis (NCC) is endemic in most of the world and contributes significantly to the burden of epilepsy and other neurological morbidity. Also present in developed countries because of immigration and travel, NCC is one of few diseases targeted for eradication. This paper reviews all aspects of its life cycle (taeniasis, porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis), with a focus on recent advances in its diagnosis, management, and control. Diagnosis of taeniasis is limited by poor availability of immunological or molecular assays. Diagnosis of NCC rests on neuroimaging findings, supported by serological assays. The treatment of NCC should be approached in the context of the particular type of infection (intra- or extraparenchymal; number, location, and stage of lesions) and has evolved toward combined symptomatic and antiparasitic management, with particular attention to modulating inflammation. Research on NCC and particularly the use of recently available genome data and animal models of infection should help to elucidate mechanisms of brain inflammation, damage, and epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector H Garcia
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Armando E Gonzalez
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Robert H Gilman
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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