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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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Zulu G, Sikasunge CS, Welte TM, Simuunza MC, Stelzle D, Schmidt V, Hachangu A, Mutale W, Masuku M, Chembensofu M, da Costa CP, Mwape KE, Winkler AS, Phiri IK. Epidemiology of intestinal helminthiasis with an emphasis on taeniasis in Chipata district of the Eastern province of Zambia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011561. [PMID: 37983246 PMCID: PMC10695371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal helminth infections are among the most common infections worldwide and have a negative impact on the health, education, nutrition and economic development of affected populations. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis, including T. solium taeniasis, using a large-scale community-based study in Chiparamba area of Chipata District in the Eastern province of Zambia. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2019 and December 2022 in a rural community of 25 randomly selected villages known to be at risk for T. solium infection. Stool samples were examined for intestinal helminths using the formol-ether concentration technique and further tested for taeniasis by copro antigen-ELISA (copro Ag-ELISA). Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted, and associations between the disease prevalence of active infections and individual- and village-level variables were determined using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Predictors of an individual being positive for either taeniasis or other soil-transmitted helminths were determined using binary logistic regression. A total of 2762 stool samples were examined. One hundred ninety-five (7.1%) tested positive for at least one helminthic parasite on microscopy, with hookworm being the most frequent 84 (3.0%), followed by S. mansoni, 66 (2.4%). For taeniasis, 11 (0.4%) participants were positive for Taenia spp. microscopically, while 241 (8.7%) tested positive via copro Ag-ELISA. On bivariate analysis, male sex was significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites (p = 0.012) but not with that of taeniasis based on copro Ag-ELISA results. Village level differences were significant for infection with intestinal helminths as well as for taeniasis positivity on copro Ag-ELISA (p <0.001). CONCLUSION Intestinal helminths, including T. solium taeniasis, are prevalent in Chiparamba area of Chipata district in the eastern province of Zambia, supporting the clear need for further targeted public health interventions for surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Zulu
- Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chummy S. Sikasunge
- Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Tamara M. Welte
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Epilepsy Centre, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin C. Simuunza
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Dominik Stelzle
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alex Hachangu
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Wilbroad Mutale
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Maxwell Masuku
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Mwelwa Chembensofu
- Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
- Centre for Global Health, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich site, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kabemba E. Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Isaac K. Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Wilson C, Nonga HE, Mdegela RH, Churi AJ, Mkupasi EM, Winkler AS, Ngowi HA. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding porcine cysticercosis control among smallholder pig farmers in Kongwa and Songwe districts, Tanzania: A cross-sectional study. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 44:100912. [PMID: 37652629 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis (TSTC) is a parasitic zoonotic disease that is endemic in several developing countries, causing serious public health and economic impacts. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to porcine cysticercosis (PCC) transmission, prevention and control among smallholder pig farmers in Kongwa and Songwe Districts in Tanzania. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 692 smallholder pig farmers from randomly selected households. STATA software version 17 was used to analyse quantitative data, summarize farmers' KAP about PCC and calculate performance scores. Nearly half (42%) of the respondents had little knowledge regarding PCC, only 17% of the respondents had good practices towards prevention/control of PCC and 72% had a positive attitude towards PCC- prevention/control measures. The majority (73%) of smallholder pig farmers admitted deworming their pigs regularly, whereas 76% reported deworming themselves and their family members regularly. Albendazole and ivermectin are the most commonly used medications for deworming people and pigs, respectively. According to the findings, the majority of smallholder pig farmers in Kongwa and Songwe Districts showed a good attitude towards PCC prevention/control measures but had limited knowledge of the PCC life cycle and control. In addition, only one in five farmers was engaged in good practices. The findings revealed further that farmers are engaged in risky behaviours that aid the spread and perpetuation of the T. solium parasite in the study area. It is recommended that farmers should be given proper health education on the T. solium transmission cycle and preventive/control practices to limit PCC transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wilson
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3019, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania; Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3021, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - H E Nonga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3021, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - R H Mdegela
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3021, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - A J Churi
- Department of Informatics and Information Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3218, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - E M Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3021, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - A S Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, 0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - H A Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3021, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Satyaprakash K, Khan WA, Zade NN, Chaudhari SP, Shinde SV, Kurkure NV, Shembalkar PK. Serological and molecular detection of neurocysticercosis among epileptic patients in Nagpur, Maharashtra state (India). Helminthologia 2023; 60:208-220. [PMID: 38152476 PMCID: PMC10750244 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2023-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), one of the most important neuroparasitic diseases in humans, is caused by Cysticercus cellulosae, the metacestode stage of digenetic zoonotic cestode Taenia solium. The present study aims at the detection of anti-cysticercus antibodies in the sera of epileptic patients (n=26) visiting a tertiary care hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra state, India, by an in-house developed indirect IgG-ELISA and enzyme-linked immunoelectro transfer blot (EITB) assay using different antigens (namely, Whole Cyst Antigen (WCA), Cystic Fluid Antigen (CFA), Scolex Antigen (SA), Excretory-Secretory Antigen (ESA) and Membrane-Body Antigen (MBA)) prepared from T. solium metacestodes to find out the status of NCC. An attempt has also been made for molecular detection of NCC from blood samples of those patients by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay targeted at large subunit rRNA gene of T. solium. The IgG ELISA level of anti-cysticercus antibodies against WCA, CFA, SA, ESA and MBA antigens were as follows: 19.23 %, 23.07 %, 38.46 %, 30.76 % and 15.38 %. The seroreactivity to CFA, SA and ESA was found in equal proportions in patients with ring-enhancing lesions. In the EITB assay, the lower and medium molecular weight protein bands of SA and ESA were immunodominant compared to the higher WCA and CFA peptides. PCR positivity could be observed in 34.6 % (9/26) of the patients under study. It is the first report of detecting NCC among epileptic patients of the Nagpur region of Maharashtra state in India using serological and molecular tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Satyaprakash
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440006
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India-231001
| | - W. A. Khan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440006
| | - N. N. Zade
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440006
| | - S. P. Chaudhari
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440006
| | - S. V. Shinde
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440006
| | - N. V. Kurkure
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440006
| | - P. K. Shembalkar
- Get Well Hospital and Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India-440012
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Kabululu ML, Johansen MV, Lightowlers M, Trevisan C, Braae UC, Ngowi HA. Aggregation of Taenia solium cysticerci in pigs: Implications for transmission and control. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2023; 22:e00307. [PMID: 37261135 PMCID: PMC10227459 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasite aggregation within hosts is a fundamental feature of parasite distributions, whereby the majority of parasites are harboured by a minority of hosts. Parasite aggregation can influence their transmission and hence control. In this narrative review, possible sources of aggregation of Taenia solium cysticerci in pigs are discussed, along with implications for control of the parasite. While heavy T. solium infections in pigs could most likely be associated with ingestion of high doses of infective parasite eggs, consistent with coprophagic behaviour of pigs, lighter infections indicate a role of indirect routes of transmission to pigs, mostly from lower infection doses. Light infections are likely to be missed by commonly used diagnostic methods - tongue examination or meat inspection - and end up in the food chain. Hence, they entail a 'hidden' risk and are of a particular public health concern, especially in areas where meat is consumed raw or undercooked. To be effective and sustainable, control strategies against T. solium likely require a broader understanding of, and consideration for parasite transmission dynamics. More importantly, a holistic One Health approach incorporating interventions on humans, pigs and the environment will likely have a larger, more successful and sustainable impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marshall Lightowlers
- Department of Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Uffe C. Braae
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Helena A. Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Makingi G, Ngowi B, Mkupasi E, Wilson C, Winkler AS, Nzalawahe J, Ngowi H. Community Health-Education Intervention Trial against Human Taenia solium Taeniasis/Cysticercosis in Central and Southern Zones of Tanzania. Pathogens 2023; 12:955. [PMID: 37513802 PMCID: PMC10386120 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor knowledge of human T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis and insufficient sanitary and hygienic practices have been associated with the persistence of human T. solium infections in endemic areas. Community health education intervention measures were implemented in 42 villages of Kongwa and Songwe Districts to increase knowledge, improve good practices against infection and reduce incidences of human cysticercosis transmission using a health education package. The health education package comprised of leaflet, poster and a booklet The 42 villages were allocated into intervention group and control group, and each group consisted of 21 villages. Baseline and post-intervention information on social demography, knowledge, safe practices and incidences of human cysticercosis was collected from both village groups. The impact of the intervention was evaluated by comparing changes in knowledge, preventive practices related to human T. solium infections and the cumulative incidence of human cysticercosis between intervention and control villages. There was no significant difference in mean knowledge scores and preventive practice mean scores between the control and intervention groups at baseline. However, there were significantly higher knowledge mean scores in the intervention group compared to the control group at one year post-intervention (2.06 ± 1.45 vs. 0.94 ± 1.18, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean practice scores between the intervention and the control group at one year post-intervention (2.49 ± 1.13 vs. 2.40 ± 1.13, p = 0.31). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of human T. solium cysticercosis between the intervention and the control group at the baseline (1.4% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.97) by Ag-Elisa, and at one year post-intervention the cumulative incidence of human cysticercosis was 1.9 and 1.2 per cent in the control and intervention group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of human cysticercosis between the intervention and the control group at one year post-intervention (p > 0.05). Community health-education intervention is effective at improving the knowledge of human T. solium infections. The improvement in preventive practices and reduction in incidences of human cysticercosis are a gradual process, they may require sanitary and hygienic improvement and more time after the intervention to see improved changes. The study recommends a sustainable public health education on T. solium infections using the health education package through one health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Makingi
- The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3021, Tanzania
| | - Bernard Ngowi
- Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam P.O. Box 3436, Tanzania
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Mbeya P.O. Box 608, Tanzania
| | - Ernatus Mkupasi
- The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3021, Tanzania
| | - Christina Wilson
- The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3021, Tanzania
| | - Andrea Sylvia Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, 0373 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jahashi Nzalawahe
- The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3021, Tanzania
| | - Helena Ngowi
- The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3021, Tanzania
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Chege B, Ndambuki G, Owiny M, Kiyong’a A, Fèvre EM, Cook EAJ. Improved latrine coverage may reduce porcine cysticercosis: a comparative cross-sectional study, Busia County, Kenya 2021. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1155467. [PMID: 37476824 PMCID: PMC10354266 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1155467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Smallholder pig farming is an important economic activity for many poor, rural communities in developing countries. Porcine cysticercosis is a growing public health risk in countries where pig rearing is popular. A sanitation-based intervention to reduce the prevalence of open defecation was completed in Busia County, Kenya in 2016. We capitalized on this third party intervention to evaluate its impact on porcine cysticercosis prevalence. Methods We conducted a comparative cross-sectional survey from August through to September 2021. Household selection was done using multistage sampling. Household questionnaire data on pig production, transmission, risk factors and awareness of porcine cysticercosis were collected from 251 households. Lingual palpation was used to test for cysticerci in 370 pigs while serum was tested for circulating antigen using Ag-ELISA. We compared results of our survey to an effective baseline, which was a near equivalent cross sectional survey conducted in 2012 before the third party sanitary intervention was established. The difference in prevalence was measured using Chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for lingual cysts in pigs. Results The prevalence of palpable lingual cysts was estimated to be 3.8% (95% CI 2.3-6.3%) (14/370). This was 6% (95% CI 0.8-13.9%; p-value 0.0178) lower than the prevalence reported in the pre-implementation period of 9.7% (95% CI: 4.5-17.6%). Circulating antigen was detected in 2 samples (0.54%, 95% CI: 0.2-1.9). Latrine coverage was 86% (95% CI: 81-90%), which was 11% (95% CI: 4.8-16.8%; p < 0.001) higher than the pre-implementation period coverage of 75% (95% CI: 71-79%). There was reduced prevalence of lingual cysts in pigs from households that had a latrine (OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05-0.43; p < 0.001) and where pigs were confined or tethered (OR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.07-1.02; p = 0.053). Conclusion There was a reduction in the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Busia County over the study period from 2012 to 2021. This was not a trial design so we are unable to directly link the decline to a specific cause, but the data are consistent with previous research indicating that improved sanitation reduces porcine cysticercosis. Programs for controlling porcine cysticercosis should include a focus on sanitation in addition to other integrated One Health approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Chege
- Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), Nairobi, Kenya
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gideon Ndambuki
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maurice Owiny
- Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Alice Kiyong’a
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric M. Fèvre
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Kothapalli SR, Md. H, Krovvidi S, Chennuru S. Prevalence of taeniosis in pig farming community in Andhra Pradesh, India. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:425-428. [PMID: 37193495 PMCID: PMC10182185 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01575-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Taeniosis is one of the neglected zoonoses in India. Facts on taeniosis, compared to cysticercosis are scanty in India. Hence, this study is aimed to determine the occurrence of taeniosis in human beings in Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 1380 stool samples were collected from people associated with pig farming and or had the habit of pork eating in certain districts (n = 7) of Andhra Pradesh. Prevalence of human taeniosis was determined using microscopic examination of stool samples and proglottds. The overall prevalence of taeniosis was found to be 0.79%. Morphology of gravid segments revealed lower number of lateral branches indicating T. solium segments. Age and gender of human were not associated with the occurrence of taeniosis. The low prevalence of taeniosis in human indicates good hygiene and sanitation practices in humans, and awareness about the disease and its transmission. Further studies involving more sensitive techniques on stool and serum samples are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa Rao Kothapalli
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh 521102 India
| | - Hafeez Md.
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh 521102 India
| | - Sahithi Krovvidi
- NRI Medical College, Chinakakani, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522503 India
| | - Sreedevi Chennuru
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh 521102 India
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Mulilo MA, Mwape KE, M’kandawire E, Mkupasi EM. Quantitative risk assessment for human Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis exposure through consumption of pork in Mpwapwa District of Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Vet World 2023; 16:895-911. [PMID: 37576769 PMCID: PMC10420725 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.895-911] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Pig farming is a livelihood activity undertaken by many rural communities in Tanzania. However, pigs in rural communities become infected with Taenia solium, a zoonotic parasite leading to porcine cysticercosis (PCC). Thus, routine meat inspection is fundamental in ensuring that the meat consumed is PCC-free. However, routine meat inspection is constrained by low sensitivity as a diagnostic test. Regardless of its low sensitivity, at the local level, no substitute tool would potentially lead to meat being risk-free for human infection. This study aimed at quantifying the risk of humans getting exposed to T. solium taeniasis through the consumption of pork approved safe for human consumption by employing a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) model. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study employing a quantitative risk assessment technique was conducted to quantify the risk of human infection in Mpwapwa District through exposure to T. solium infection through consumption of officially inspected pork. The input parameters in this study were simulated in @risk software to obtain the risk of exposure and the risk factors for exposure to T. solium taeniasis. Results The risk of one getting exposed to T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis (TSTC) through consumption of pork approved for human consumption was found to be 0.018 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00-0.0250). Likewise, the probability that a cyst is localized in a pork portion was found to be the most influencing input risk factor of getting exposed to TSTC. Furthermore, the probability of developing T. solium taeniasis was estimated to be 0.73605 (95% CI = 0-0.950) when infected undercooked pork portion is consumed and 0.99652 (95% CI = 0.98161-0.99908) from consuming raw pork portion. Likewise, about 47 (95% CI = 42-52) people who consumed undercooked pork and 26 (95% CI = 22-30) who consumed raw pork would get infected in Mpwapwa District per year. Conclusion The results from this study are anticipated to create public awareness of the problem and promote the use of one-health approach in the control and prevention of the consumption of infected pork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misheck A. Mulilo
- Livestock Training Agency, Department of Training, Research and Consultancy, Mpwapwa, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Kabemba E. Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, The University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ethel M’kandawire
- Department of Disease Control, The University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ernatus M. Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Zulu G, Stelzle D, Mwape KE, Welte TM, Strømme H, Mubanga C, Mutale W, Abraham A, Hachangu A, Schmidt V, Sikasunge CS, Phiri IK, Winkler AS. The epidemiology of human Taenia solium infections: A systematic review of the distribution in Eastern and Southern Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011042. [PMID: 37000841 PMCID: PMC10096517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Taenia solium is a tapeworm that causes taeniosis in humans and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. Within Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), information on the presence of human taeniosis and cysticercosis seems scarce. This systematic review aimed to describe the current information available and gaps in the epidemiology of human T. solium infections in ESA.
Methods/Principle findings
Scientific literature published between 1st January 2000 and 20th June 2022 in international databases [MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Global Health (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), African Index Medicus (via WHO Global Index Medicus), and Open Grey] was systematically reviewed for ESA. The study area included 27 countries that make up the ESA region. Information on either taeniosis, cysticercosis or NCC was available for 16 of 27 countries within the region and a total of 113 reports were retained for the review. Most case reports for cysticercosis and NCC were from South Africa, while Tanzania had the most aggregated cysticercosis reports. Eleven countries reported on NCC with seven countries reporting data on NCC and epilepsy. Unconfirmed human T. solium taeniosis cases were reported in nine countries while two countries (Madagascar and Zambia) reported confirmed T. solium cases. The cysticercosis seroprevalence ranged between 0.7–40.8% on antigen (Ag) ELISA and between 13.1–45.3% on antibody (Ab) ELISA. Based on immunoblot tests the Ab seroprevalence was between 1.7–39.3%, while the proportion of NCC-suggestive lesions on brain CT scans was between 1.0–76% depending on the study population. The human taeniosis prevalence based on microscopy ranged between 0.1–14.7%. Based on Copro Ag-ELISA studies conducted in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the highest prevalence of 19.7% was reported in Kenya.
Conclusions
Despite the public health and economic impact of T. solium in ESA, there are still large gaps in knowledge about the occurrence of the parasite, and the resulting One Health disease complex, and monitoring of T. solium taeniosis and cysticercosis is mostly not in place.
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11
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The role of cooking practices in the transmission of the foodborne parasite Taenia solium: A qualitative study in an endemic area of Southern Tanzania. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274877. [PMID: 36197909 PMCID: PMC9534410 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The pork tapeworm Taenia solium is a zoonotic food-borne parasite endemic in many developing countries causing human cysticercosis and taeniosis as well as porcine cysticercosis. It mainly affects the health of rural smallholder pig farmers and their communities, resulting in lower health status, reduced pork quality, and economic loss due to condemnation of pigs or low pricing of pork. This qualitative study aimed to identify key food related practices linked to consumption of pork at village level, of importance for transmission of taeniosis. We used an interpretivist-constructivist paradigm in a multiple case study of exploratory qualitative research design. Data was acquired through guided and probing interviews with 64 pork cooks, and 14 direct observations in four villages in a T. solium endemic area of Mbeya Region in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The study showed that the informants were members of communities of practice through their pork cooking practices, one community of practice for the restaurant cooks and one for the home cooks, learning, sharing, and distributing their cooking skills. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the pork cooks generally had some awareness of there being something undesirable in raw pork, but they had very diverse understandings of what it was, or of its potential harm. Major potential transmission points were identified in restaurants and in home kitchens. It appears that the pork cooks act according to socio-cultural and economic factors guiding them in their actions, including pressure from customers in restaurants, the family values of tradition in the home kitchens, and the culturally guided risk perception and appraisal. These practices might generate potential transmission points. Future research on interventions aimed at preventing the spread of T. solium taeniosis should recognise the importance of tradition and culture in risky food practices.
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Langa I, Padama F, Nhancupe N, Pondja A, Hlashwayo D, Gouveia L, Stelzle D, da Costa CP, Schmidt V, Winkler AS, Noormahomed EV. The burden of T. solium cysticercosis and selected neuropsychiatric disorders in Mocuba district, Zambézia province, Mozambique. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010606. [PMID: 35834558 PMCID: PMC9321429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taenia solium (neuro-)cysticercosis, a neglected tropical disease, can be associated with epileptic seizures and other neuropsychiatric (= neurological and psychiatric) disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association of T. solium cysticercosis with selected neuropsychiatric disorders and/or symptoms (chronic headache, epileptic seizures/epilepsy and psychosis) in Mocuba district, Mozambique. METHODOLOGY Between March and May 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,086 participants aged 2 years or above in Mocuba district, Zambézia province, central Mozambique, to assess the seroprevalence of human cysticercosis and risk factors for infection, as well as to explore its relation to selected neuropsychiatric disorders. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected from each participant using a modified questionnaire designed by the Cysticercosis Working Group for Eastern and Southern Africa. Additionally, neuropsychiatric disorders, such as chronic headache, epileptic seizures/epilepsy and psychosis were assessed using four vignettes. T. solium antigen and cysticercosis IgG in serum were detected using both T. solium antigen B158/B60 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot, respectively. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Overall, 112/1,086 participants (10.3%) were sero-positive for T. solium antigen or antibodies. Prevalence of antibodies (6.6%; n = 72) was higher than of antigens (4.9%; n = 54). In the questionnaires, 530 (49.5%) of participants reported chronic headache, 293 (27%) had generalized epileptic seizures, 188 (18%) focal seizures and 183 (18.3%) psychosis. We found a statistically significant association between seropositivity for T. solium and chronic headache (p = 0.013). Additionally, increasing age (p = 0.03) was associated with Ag-ELISA seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that in Mocuba, T. solium cysticercosis is prevalent and associated with self-reported chronic headache. Additionally, in the study setting, the seroprevalence of cysticercosis increased with age. However, it is not associated with other neuropsychiatric disorders such epileptic seizures/epilepsy and psychosis. Future studies are needed to confirm the high burden of neuropsychiatric disorders and their possible etiology, including neurocysticercosis, using additional serological, molecular biological and radiological diagnostic tools, as well as in-depth clinical examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Langa
- Microbiology Department, Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Mozambique Institute of Health Education and Research (MIHER), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Fernando Padama
- Zambézia Operational Research Unit, Provincial Directorate of Health, Quelimane, Mozambique
| | - Noémia Nhancupe
- Microbiology Department, Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Mozambique Institute of Health Education and Research (MIHER), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Alberto Pondja
- Faculty of Veterinary, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Delfina Hlashwayo
- Faculty of Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Lidia Gouveia
- Mental health Department; National Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Dominik Stelzle
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Center for Global Health, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Emília Virgínia Noormahomed
- Microbiology Department, Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Mozambique Institute of Health Education and Research (MIHER), Maputo, Mozambique
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
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Challenges in the Diagnosis of Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Taeniosis in Medical and Veterinary Settings in Selected Regions of Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study. Vet Med Int 2022; 2022:7472051. [PMID: 35815231 PMCID: PMC9262556 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7472051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Taenia solium (neuro) cysticercosis/taeniosis (TSCT) is a zoonotic disease complex. There is a perceived inefficient diagnosis of infections by either form, the adult pork tapeworm (taeniosis) and the larval stage of it (cysticercosis), in low-income settings, including Tanzania. This study aimed at identifying potential gaps around TSCT diagnosis and knowledge of primary healthcare providers (officers in charge (OICs) of primary healthcare facilities (PHFs)) and veterinarians (meat inspectors (MIs)) on various aspects of TSCT disease complex and addressing effective disease control in Tanzania. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2020 in Manyara, Dodoma, Ruvuma, Iringa, and Arusha regions in Babati, Mbulu, Kongwa, Mbinga, and Nyasa districts. We interviewed 152 OICs of PHFs and 108 MIs using a structured questionnaire and 33 medical and veterinary officers from level I healthcare facilities and district livestock offices, respectively, from selected study districts to the respective ministerial level using key informant interviews. Results Quantitative data revealed inadequate microscopic diagnostic facilities (54.6%) and personnel (100%) for taeniosis diagnosis in PHFs (n = 152). Approximately 81.2% of MIs compared with only 42.1% of OICs of PHFs scored above average regarding T. solium cysticerci knowledge. Nevertheless, 61.2% of OICs of PHFs compared with only 42.6% of MIs scored above average regarding the adult T. solium tapeworm knowledge. Qualitative data revealed inadequate availability of advanced diagnostic facilities (neuroimaging) and trained personnel for specific diagnosis of TSCT with a focus on neurocysticercosis (NCC) in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. Inadequately number of qualified MIs, slaughter slabs, and resource facilitation challenged porcine cysticercosis diagnosis. Conclusion It is concluded that diagnostic capacity and knowledge of OICs of PHFs and MIs regarding TSCT are insufficient in both medical and veterinary sectors. A One Health approach should be adopted to improve TSCT diagnostic capacity and practitioners' knowledge in both medical and veterinary sectors.
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14
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Nyangi C, Stelzle D, Mkupasi EM, Ngowi HA, Churi AJ, Schmidt V, Mahonge C, Winkler AS. Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniasis in Tanzania. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:534. [PMID: 35692033 PMCID: PMC9190087 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07408-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniasis (TSCT) is reported to be endemic in pig producing areas around the world, causing significant disease burden and economic losses. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed at assessing Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) regarding TSCT in four districts, namely Mbulu, Mpwapwa, Mbinga, and Rungwe in Tanzania. Data on KAP were collected through questionnaire-based interviews and household infrastructure observations. Results Knowledge about porcine cysticercosis was good, particularly among pig keepers across the districts. Many participants had heard about the pork tapeworm (T. solium taeniasis), and the knowledge about signs/symptoms and treatment was fair, but the means of transmission and prevention measures were often unknown. Whilst most participants were familiar with epilepsy, no one knew anything about human cysticercosis and the link between cysticercosis and epileptic seizures. A similar trend is reflected through the attitudes toward the low risk perception of cysticercosis infection. Not surprisingly, the risk perception of the infection with the pork tapeworm was low too. Many participants reported not washing their hands before eating or after using the toilet which highlights potential risks for the development of human cysticercosis. Albeit nearly every participant reported using the toilet always, household observations revealed that toilets were either lacking or had no complete walls. Generally, household observations revealed a discrepancy between questionnaire answers on the one hand and the availability of toilet and handwashing facilities and the confinement of pigs on the other hand. Conclusion This study demonstrates knowledge gaps and adverse practices which may hinder and/or slow down the control/elimination of T. solium in endemic countries. The study results are also useful for appropriate designing of TSCT health interventions that need to be planned carefully, taking into account the local context and designing TSCT in partnership with the local communities from the beginning to the end applying a One Health approach to allow the possible sustained and best impacts. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07408-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chacha Nyangi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. .,Department of Applied Sciences, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Mbeya, Tanzania.
| | - Dominik Stelzle
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sports and Health Sciences, Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Ernatus M Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Helena A Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ayubu J Churi
- Centre for Information and Communication On Technology (CICT), Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christopher Mahonge
- Department of Policy, Planning and Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Andrea S Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Rahantamalala A, Rakotoarison RL, Rakotomalala E, Rakotondrazaka M, Kiernan J, Castle PM, Hakami L, Choi K, Rafalimanantsoa AS, Harimanana A, Wright P, Grandjean Lapierre S, Schoenhals M, Small PM, Marcos LA, Vigan-Womas I. Prevalence and factors associated with human Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in twelve remote villages of Ranomafana rainforest, Madagascar. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010265. [PMID: 35404983 PMCID: PMC9064101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infections with the tapeworm Taenia solium (taeniosis and cysticercosis) are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) highly endemic in Madagascar. These infections are however underdiagnosed, underreported and their burden at the community level remains unknown especially in rural remote settings. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of T. solium infections and associated risk factors in twelve remote villages surrounding Ranomafana National Park (RNP), Ifanadiana District, Madagascar. Methodology A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2016. Stool and serum samples were collected from participants. Tapeworm carriers were identified by stool examination. Taenia species and T. solium genotypes were characterised by PCR and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Detection of specific anti-cysticercal antibodies (IgG) or circulating cysticercal antigens was performed by ELISA or EITB/Western blot assays. Principal findings Of the 459 participants with paired stool and blood samples included ten participants from seven distinct villages harbored Taenia spp. eggs in their stools samples DNA sequencing of the cox1 gene revealed a majority of T. solium Asian genotype (9/10) carriage. The overall seroprevalences of anti-cysticercal IgGs detected by ELISA and EITB were quite similar (27.5% and 29.8% respectively). A prevalence rate of 12.4% of circulating cysticercal antigens was observed reflecting cysticercosis with viable cysts. Open defecation (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0–2.3) and promiscuity with households of more than 4 people (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1) seem to be the main risk factors associated with anticysticercal antibodies detection. Being over 15 years of age would be a risk factor associated with an active cysticercosis (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0–2.7). Females (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9) and use of river as house water source (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–1.5) were less likely to have cysticercosis with viable cysts. Conclusions/Significance This study indicates a high exposure of the investigated population to T. solium infections with a high prevalence of cysticercosis with viable cysts. These data can be useful to strengthen public health interventions in these remote settings. Taenia solium infections in humans (taeniosis and neurocysticercosis) and in pigs (cysticercosis) are endemic in Madagascar presenting a significant public health burden. Neurocysticercosis with localization of the parasite in the Central Nervous System is the most severe and frequent form of parasitic brain diseases in humans and responsible of thousands of worldwide deaths per year. Madagascar is a T. solium endemic country where poor sanitation, free roaming pigs and outdoor defecation are common, and maintain the parasite transmission cycle. Little information is available regarding taeniosis/cysticercosis epidemiology in Madagascar. We carried out a community-based study to investigate the prevalence of human taeniosis/cysticercosis and associated risk factors in 12 rural remote villages of Ranomafana and Kelilalina townships (Ifanadiana district, Madagascar). Our results reveal that in 7/12 villages investigated, a high number of participants had teaniosis. Moreover, a high number of active cysticercosis cases were detected. Open defecation and promiscuity were seemed to be the main risk factors associated to T. solium infections. The results of this study will be useful to guide interventions in these remote settings surrounding the Ranomafana National Park.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjanirina Rahantamalala
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Emma Rakotomalala
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Jaydon Kiernan
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Paul M. Castle
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Lee Hakami
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Koeun Choi
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Aina Harimanana
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Patricia Wright
- Centre ValBio, Ranomafana, Ifanadiana, Madagascar
- Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Simon Grandjean Lapierre
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Matthieu Schoenhals
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Peter M. Small
- Centre ValBio, Ranomafana, Ifanadiana, Madagascar
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Luis A. Marcos
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Inès Vigan-Womas
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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Soare C, Garcia-Ara A, Seguino A, Uys M, Thomas LF. Maximising Societal Benefit From the Control of Neglected Zoonoses: Identifying Synergies and Trade-Offs in the Control of Taenia solium. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:794257. [PMID: 35224073 PMCID: PMC8865387 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.794257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventions to control or eradicate neglected zoonoses are generally paid for through the public purse and when these interventions focus on the animal hosts, they are often expected to be performed and financed through the state veterinary service. The benefits of control, however, accrue across the human, animal, and environmental spaces and enhance both public and private interests. Additionally, disease control interventions do not take place in a vacuum and the indirect impacts of our actions should also be considered if the societal benefit of interventions is to be maximised. With the caveat that unintended consequences can and will occur, pre-identifying potential synergies and trade-offs in our disease control initiatives allows for them to be considered in intervention design and monitored during programme roll-out. In this paper, using a One Health approach with the example of Taenia solium control, we identify potential indirect impacts which may arise and how these may influence both our choice of intervention and opportunities to optimise the animal, environmental, and societal benefits of control through maximising synergies and minimising trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Soare
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia Garcia-Ara
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Seguino
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Matthys Uys
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Lian F. Thomas
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- *Correspondence: Lian F. Thomas
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Spatial distribution and risk factors for human cysticercosis in Colombia. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:590. [PMID: 34838117 PMCID: PMC8626945 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05092-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cysticercosis is a zoonotic neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects humans and pigs following the ingestion of Taenia solium eggs. Human cysticercosis poses a substantial public health burden in endemic countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to target high-endemicity settings with enhanced interventions in 17 countries by 2030. Between 2008 and 2010, Colombia undertook a national baseline serosurvey of unprecedented scale, which led to an estimated seroprevalence of T. solium cysticercus antibodies among the general population of 8.6%. Here, we use contemporary geostatistical approaches to analyse this unique dataset with the aim of understanding the spatial distribution and risk factors associated with human cysticercosis in Colombia to inform how best to target intervention strategies. Methods We used a geostatistical model to estimate individual and household risk factors associated with seropositivity to T. solium cysticercus antibodies from 29,253 people from 133 municipalities in Colombia. We used both independent and spatially structured random effects at neighbourhood/village and municipality levels to account for potential clustering of exposure to T. solium. We present estimates of the distribution and residual correlation of seropositivity at the municipality level. Results High seroprevalence was identified in municipalities located in the north and south of Colombia, with spatial correlation in seropositivity estimated up to approximately 140 km. Statistically significant risk factors associated with seropositivity to T. solium cysticercus were related to age, sex, educational level, socioeconomic status, use of rainwater, consumption of partially cooked/raw pork meat and possession of dogs. Conclusions In Colombia, the distribution of human cysticercosis is influenced by socioeconomic considerations, education and environmental factors related to the spread of T. solium eggs. This information can be used to tailor national intervention strategies, such as targeting spatial hotspots and more highly exposed groups, including displaced people and women. Large-scale seroprevalence surveys accompanied by geospatial mapping are an essential step towards reaching the WHO’s 2021‒2030 NTD roadmap targets. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05092-8.
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Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Primary School Children in Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2021; 2021:5517564. [PMID: 34594431 PMCID: PMC8478561 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5517564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Globally, over 600 million school children are living with intestinal parasites. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among school children in Ethiopia and the Amhara region is 52% and 51%, respectively. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among primary school children in Dera district, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020. The study used a structured pretested questionnaire and stool tests to obtain epidemiological and disease data. Data were analyzed using appropriate univariate and multivariable logistic regression methods by statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25.0. Results Of the 382 students who were examined for IPIs, 238 (62.3%) (61.8% males, 62.8% females) were positive for one or more IPIs. One hundred thirty-six (35.6%), 98 (25.7%), and 4 (1.05%) were single, double, and triple infections, respectively. Out of the nine species of IPIs detected, Entamoeba sp. was the predominant species (29.6%) followed by hookworm (21.7%), Schistosoma mansoni (11.3%), Taenia sp. (9.2%), Giardia lamblia (5.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, and Enterobius vermicularis (4.2%) each, and Trichuris trichiura (0.5%). Family size greater than five (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.004, 3.13), open field school waste disposal (AOR = 15.88; 95% CI: 1.91, 132.1), and lack of knowledge about intestinal parasitic infection (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.2) were the independent risk factors associated with the overall prevalence of IPIs. Conclusions The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was high in the Dera district. Health education, extending school-based deworming, and mass treatments are recommended.
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Trevisan C, Damme IV, Ngowi B, Schmidt V, Stelzle D, Møller KS, Kabululu M, Makasi CE, Magnussen P, Bottieau E, Abatih E, Johansen MV, Ngowi H, Ndawi B, Mwape KE, Zulu G, Dorny P, Winkler AS, Gabriël S. Trial Design of a Prospective Multicenter Diagnostic Accuracy Study of a Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Taenia solium Taeniosis and Neurocysticercosis in Hospital-Based Settings in Tanzania. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11091528. [PMID: 34573870 PMCID: PMC8470609 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11091528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium diagnosis is challenging as trained personnel, good diagnostic tools, and infrastructure is lacking in resource-poor areas. This paper aims to describe the study trial design adopted to evaluate a newly developed rapid point-of-care test that simultaneously detects taeniosis and neurocysticercosis (TS POC) in three district hospitals in Tanzania. The two-stage design included three types of patients: patients with specific neurological signs and symptoms (group 1); patients with complaints compatible with intestinal worm infections (group 2); patients with other symptom(s) (group 3). For group 1, all patients were tested using the TS POC test (stage 1), after which all positive, and a subset of negative, patients were selected for laboratory reference tests, clinical examination, and a brain computed tomography (CT) scan (stage 2). For groups 2 and 3, a similar design was adopted, but clinical examination and a brain CT scan (stage 2) were only performed in patients who were TS POC test-positive for cysticercosis. Due to the lack of a gold standard, a Bayesian approach was used to determine test accuracy for taeniosis and cysticercosis. For neurocysticercosis, a composite case definition was used as the reference standard. If successful, this study will help the future developments (commercialization and implementation) of the rapid test and improve patient management and disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (C.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Inge Van Damme
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
| | - Bernard Ngowi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Medical Research Centre Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam 11101, Tanzania; (B.N.); (C.E.M.)
- Department of Public Health, University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania, Dar es Salaam 65015, Tanzania
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (D.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dominik Stelzle
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (D.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 80809 Munich, Germany
| | - Karen Schou Møller
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark;
| | - Mwemezi Kabululu
- Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI)-Uyole, Mbeya P.O. Box 6191, Tanzania;
| | - Charles E. Makasi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Medical Research Centre Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam 11101, Tanzania; (B.N.); (C.E.M.)
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Emmanuel Abatih
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | | | - Helena Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3021, Tanzania;
| | | | - Kabemba E. Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (K.E.M.); (G.Z.)
| | - Gideon Zulu
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (K.E.M.); (G.Z.)
- Eastern Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 30205, Zambia
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (D.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (C.T.); (S.G.)
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Butala C, Brook TM, Majekodunmi AO, Welburn SC. Neurocysticercosis: Current Perspectives on Diagnosis and Management. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:615703. [PMID: 34041288 PMCID: PMC8141574 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.615703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine cysticercosis, human taeniasis, and (neuro)cysticercosis are endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where they present a significant health burden to affected communities. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the leading causes of human epilepsy in many hyperendemic regions in Latin America, Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an estimated 2.5-8.3 million cases of NCC annually with a disability-adjusted life year (DALY) burden of 2.8 million, but as for all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), these values are likely to be underestimated. Diagnosis of NCC is complex and most accurately diagnosed using clinical neuroimaging that is unavailable in most hyperendemic regions in LMIC. On January 28, 2021, WHO will launch its road map for the NTDs' "Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030." Taeniasis/cysticercosis is targeted for control success considered as steady increase in the number of countries with intensified control in hyperendemic areas [increasing from 2 (3%) in 2020 to 4 (6%) in 2023, to 9 (14%) by 2025, and to 17 (27%) by 2030]. Cross-cutting targets that include 100% access to at least basic water supply, sanitation, and hygiene in areas endemic for NTDs and 75% integrated treatment coverage for preventative chemotherapy will additionally impact on the taeniasis/cysticercosis/NCC complex. With no vaccine available for humans, prevention of infection depends on communication to the public of the life cycle of a complex zoonosis to promote behavior change, underpinned by practical control measures including treatment of human taeniasis and (neuro)cysticercosis with albendazole and praziquantel [widely used as part of the mass drug administration (MDA) deworming programs], surgery where appropriate, and effective vaccination and deworming for pigs supported by meat inspection. Here, we review recent advances in tools and implementation for Taenia solium taeniasis/(neuro)cysticercosis (TSTC) control and milestones on the onward path to elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Butala
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - T. M. Brook
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ayodele O. Majekodunmi
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Christina Welburn
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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21
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Ouma E, Dione M, Mtimet N, Lule P, Colston A, Adediran S, Grace D. Demand for Taenia solium Cysticercosis Vaccine: Lessons and Insights From the Pig Production and Trading Nodes of the Uganda Pig Value Chain. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:611166. [PMID: 33987216 PMCID: PMC8110731 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.611166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium cysticercosis disease remains a key challenge to the pig sector in low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and South East Asia, resulting in both economic losses and public health impacts. The World Health Organization has ranked it first on the global scale of foodborne parasites. A One Health approach has been recommended for reduction of infection pressure and eradication in the longer term. A new vaccine TSOL18 (Cysvax™), applied in combination with oxfendazole (Paranthic 10%™), a dewormer drug has been developed and field tested for the control of T. solium cysticercosis, with high potential to break the disease cycle. It is however unclear whether the products can be marketed through a market driven approach, and if smallholder pig farmers would be willing to take up and pay for the vaccine–oxfendazole combination. A choice experiment methodology was used to assess the potential demand and willingness to pay for the vaccine—oxfendazole combination by Ugandan smallholder pig farmers, and demand for vaccinated pigs by pig traders. The results showed that farmers highly valued quality assurance attributes and were not keen on the vaccine if there were no associated returns in the form of premium price for vaccinated pigs during sales. They were willing to pay US$ 2.31 for the vaccine if it resulted in a premium price for vaccinated pigs. Furthermore, they preferred an accompanying vaccine viability detector as part of its quality assurance. The pig traders on the other hand preferred high carcass weight of pigs, potentially achieved by using oxfendazole. The results show that unless the pig market systems pay a premium price for vaccinated pigs, and quality assurance systems guarantee quality vaccine, uptake of the TSOL18 vaccine and oxfendazole by farmers through market mechanisms may be unsuccessful. The current pig marketing system does not reward food safety, the focus is mainly on carcass weight. Alternative delivery mechanisms for the vaccine through a mix of private–public investments needs to be explored, as the benefits of vaccinated pigs are societal and include reduction and elimination of neurocysticercosis in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ouma
- Policies, Institutions and Livelihood Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michel Dione
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Nadhem Mtimet
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Peter Lule
- Policies, Institutions and Livelihood Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Angie Colston
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel Adediran
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines, Nairobi, Kenya.,Impact at Scale Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Delia Grace
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.,Food Safety Systems, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, United Kingdom
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Acosta Soto L, Parker LA, Irisarri-Gutiérrez MJ, Bustos JA, Castillo Y, Perez E, Muñoz-Antoli C, Esteban JG, García HH, Bornay-Llinares FJ. Evidence for Transmission of Taenia solium Taeniasis/Cysticercosis in a Rural Area of Northern Rwanda. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:645076. [PMID: 33959651 PMCID: PMC8093440 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.645076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the metacestode larval stage (cysticercus) of Taenia solium. In humans, cysticercosis may infect the central nervous system and cause neurocysticercosis, which is responsible for over 50,000 deaths per year worldwide and is the major cause of preventable epilepsy cases, especially in low-income countries. Cysticercosis infection is endemic in many less developed countries where poor hygiene conditions and free-range pig management favor their transmission. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 680 children from a rural primary school in Gakenke district (Northern province of Rwanda). Stool samples were collected from participants and analyzed using the Kato-Katz method (KK), formol-ether concentration (FEC), and/or copro-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CoAg-ELISA) to detect taeniasis. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) and antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) to detect human cysticercosis. The overall proportion of taeniasis positivity was 0.3% (2/680), and both cases were also confirmed by CoAg-ELISA. A total of 13.3% (76/572) of the children studied were positive to cysticercosis (T. solium-specific serum antibodies detected by EITB), of whom 38.0% (27/71) had viable cysticercus (T. solium antigens by Ag-ELISA). This study provides evidence of the highest cysticercosis prevalence reported in Rwanda in children to date. Systematic investigations into porcine and human cysticercosis as well as health education and hygiene measures for T. solium control are needed in Gakenke district.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrecia Acosta Soto
- Área de Parasitología del Departamento de Agroquímica y Medioambiente, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Lucy Anne Parker
- Departamento de Salud Pública Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Irisarri-Gutiérrez
- Área de Parasitología, Dpto. Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Dpto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Arturo Bustos
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Yesenia Castillo
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Erika Perez
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Carla Muñoz-Antoli
- Área de Parasitología, Dpto. Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Guillermo Esteban
- Área de Parasitología, Dpto. Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica y Parasitología, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Héctor Hugo García
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Fernando Jorge Bornay-Llinares
- Área de Parasitología del Departamento de Agroquímica y Medioambiente, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Alicante, Spain
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23
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Mukendi D, Kalo JRL, Lutumba P, Barbé B, Jacobs J, Yansouni CP, Gabriël S, Dorny P, Chappuis F, Boelaert M, Winkler AS, Verdonck K, Bottieau E. High frequency of Taenia solium antigen positivity in patients admitted for neurological disorders in the Rural Hospital of Mosango, Democratic Republic of Congo. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:359. [PMID: 33865327 PMCID: PMC8052782 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06032-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The epidemiology of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is not well known in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within a multicenter etiological and diagnostic study conducted by the NIDIAG consortium (“Better Diagnosis for Neglected Infections”) and investigating several challenging syndromes, we consecutively evaluated from 2012 to 2015 all patients older than 5 years presenting with neurological disorders (neurology cohort) and with fever > 7 days (persistent fever cohort) at the rural hospital of Mosango, province of Kwilu, DRC. In both cohorts, etiological diagnosis relied on a systematic set of reference laboratory assays and on pre-established clinical case definitions. No neuroimaging was available in the study hospital. In this study, we determined the frequency of T. solium infection in both cohorts and explored in the neurology cohort its association with specific neurological presentations and final etiological diagnoses. Methods We conducted a post-hoc descriptive and analytic study on cysticercosis in the neurology and persistent fever cohorts, based on the presence in serum samples of circulating T. solium antigen using the B158/B60 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and of cysticercosis IgG using the LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot IgG assay. Results For the neurology cohort, 340 samples (of 351 enrolled patients) were available for analysis (males: 46.8%; mean age: 38.9 years). T. solium antigen positivity was found in 43 participants (12.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.3–16.7%), including 9 of 60 (15%) patients with epilepsy. Among the 148 samples available from the persistent fever cohort (males: 39.9%; mean age: 19.9 years), 7 were positive in the T. solium antigen ELISA (4.7%; 95% CI 1.9–9.5%; P = 0.009 when compared to the neurology cohort). No significant association was found within the neurology cohort between positivity and clinical presentation or final diagnoses. Of note, the IgG antibody-detecting assay was found positive in only four (1.3%) of the participants of the neurology cohort and in none of the persistent fever cohort. Conclusions T. solium antigen positivity was found in at least 10% of patients admitted with neurological disorders in the Kwilu province, DRC, with no specific pattern of presentation. Further neuroimaging studies should be used to confirm whether neurocysticercosis is prevalent in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deby Mukendi
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. .,Départment de Neurologie, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Jean-Roger Lilo Kalo
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Pascal Lutumba
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Départment de Neurologie, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Barbara Barbé
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan Jacobs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cedric P Yansouni
- JD MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - François Chappuis
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marleen Boelaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andrea S Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Global Health, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristien Verdonck
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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24
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Dixon MA, Winskill P, Harrison WE, Basáñez MG. Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis: From parasite biology and immunology to diagnosis and control. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 112:133-217. [PMID: 34024358 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Infection with the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is responsible for a substantial global burden of disease, not only restricted to its impact on human health, but also resulting in a considerable economic burden to smallholder pig farmers due to pig cysticercosis infection. The life-cycle, parasitology and immunology of T. solium are complex, involving pigs (the intermediate host, harbouring the larval metacestode stage), humans (the definitive host, harbouring the adult tapeworm, in addition to acting as accidental intermediate hosts) and the environment (the source of infection with eggs/proglottids). We review the parasitology, immunology, and epidemiology of the infection associated with each of the T. solium life-cycle stages, including the pre-adult/adult tapeworm responsible for human taeniasis; post-oncosphere and cysticercus associated with porcine and human cysticercosis, and the biological characteristics of eggs in the environment. We discuss the burden associated, in endemic settings, with neurocysticercosis (NCC) in humans, and the broader cross-sectoral economic impact associated both with NCC and porcine cysticercosis, the latter impacting food-value chains. Existing tools for diagnostics and control interventions that target different stages of the T. solium transmission cycle are reviewed and their limitations discussed. Currently, no national T. solium control programmes have been established in endemic areas, with further work required to identify optimal strategies according to epidemiological setting. There is increasing evidence suggesting that cross-sectoral interventions which target the parasite in both the human and pig host provide the most effective approaches for achieving control and ultimately elimination. We discuss future avenues for research on T. solium to support the attainment of the goals proposed in the revised World Health Organisation neglected tropical diseases roadmap for 2021-2030 adopted at the 73rd World Health Assembly in November 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Dixon
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation (SCI Foundation), London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Winskill
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy E Harrison
- Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation (SCI Foundation), London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria-Gloria Basáñez
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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25
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Lyimo FR, Jusabani AM, Makungu H, Mtolera M, Surani S. Thinking Outside Malaria: A Rare Case of Disseminated Cysticercosis With Cardiopulmonary Involvement From Urban Tanzania. Cureus 2021; 13:e12851. [PMID: 33628701 PMCID: PMC7897369 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissemination of the cysticerci throughout the body with cardiopulmonary involvement represents a very rare occurrence and an uncommon form of cysticercosis manifestation. We report a rare case of a 48-year-old African male from urban Tanzania who was, at first, referred to our radiology department for a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), but incidentally on further evaluation of the patient revealed a history of recurrent convulsions, loss of consciousness, a single episode of temporary loss of vision and recent skin nodules. The value of a full clinical and radiological evaluation of the patient presenting with adult-onset seizures cannot be overemphasized for the diagnosis of this disease. Management of disseminated cysticercosis is complex and, therefore, should be tailored to fit the individual cases and focus on clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hilda Makungu
- Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, TZA
| | - Maria Mtolera
- Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, TZA
| | - Salim Surani
- Internal Medicine, Corpus Christi Medical Center, Corpus Christi, USA.,Internal Medicine, University of North Texas, Dallas, USA
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26
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Kayuni EN. Socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis and epilepsy to small-scale pig producers in Tanzania. BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE 2021; 45:217. [PMID: 34924747 PMCID: PMC8669219 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-021-00676-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy pose a serious public health risk and lead to economic losses to the small-scale pig farmers in Tanzania's rural areas. It also resulted in lowering the pig's prices, high treatment expenses, lower labour productivity, and social discrimination. In Tanzania, small-scale pig producers are unaware of the methods that are used to manage and prevent the diseases associated with Taenia solium. MAIN BODY The main goal of the reviewed article was to investigate the socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy on small-scale pig producers in Tanzania. Several search engines yielded 80 peer-reviewed publications, 44 of which were considered to be relevant to the study. Taenia solium cysticercosis has been reported to cause huge financial losses in the management of pigs posing a burden in terms of vaccination and treatment. CONCLUSION The information on porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy is still insufficient in Tanzania. Poor habits, negative perceptions, and attitudes are the result of this misinformation. This review suggests that health education should be emphasized as one of the intervention methods for eliminating all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in Tanzania to promote and increase awareness about all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Nestory Kayuni
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), Iringa, Tanzania
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Kabululu ML, Ngowi HA, Mlangwa JED, Mkupasi EM, Braae UC, Trevisan C, Colston A, Cordel C, Johansen MV. Endemicity of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs from Mbeya Rural and Mbozi districts, Tanzania. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:325. [PMID: 32883326 PMCID: PMC7470673 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02543-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a disease of substantial economic and public health importance particularly in low-income countries. The disease was reported to be endemic in Mbeya Rural and Mbozi districts, in the southern highlands of Tanzania, the major pig production area in the country. In 2008, using B158/B60 antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA), porcine cysticercosis prevalence of up to 32% was reported in the districts. A number of interventions have been implemented in selected villages including an integrated approach consisting of improving pig confinement and selective treatment of pigs with oxfendazole. Mass drug administration with praziquantel targeting schistosomiasis, with an expected effect on T. solium, was also provided to school-age children in the area. This study aimed at providing an update on prevalence and intensities of porcine cysticercosis; and assessing farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices which could be associated to disease transmission in the area. The study involved a questionnaire survey conducted using face-to-face household interviews with 890 consenting farmers; and carcass dissections performed on 282 pigs randomly selected from the surveyed households. RESULTS Twenty-six pigs (9.2%) were infected with T. solium; of which two-thirds (65.4%) had light to moderate infection intensities (1-1000 cysticerci), and one-third (34.6%) had heavy intensities (> 1000 cysticerci). Questionnaire results showed that only 5.7% of the respondents perceived T. solium cysticercosis to be an important disease in pigs. About 18.5% of the respondents were aware of T. solium taeniasis, but 32% of them were unaware of how the infection is acquired. Half of the respondents had seen cysticerci in pork, of whom 61% were not aware that consumption of infected pork could cause taeniasis. Latrines were observed to often (90%) lack doors with 45% considered accessible to pigs. CONCLUSIONS This study provided an evidence that the disease was still endemic in the area. Poor knowledge of farmers, attitudes, and risky practices responsible for disease perpetuation were also revealed. A One Health approach targeting the whole area incorporating improvement of farmer knowledge regarding disease transmission needs to be trialed as a feasible approach to control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mwemezi L Kabululu
- Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) - Uyole, Mbeya, Tanzania.
| | - Helena A Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - James E D Mlangwa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ernatus M Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Uffe C Braae
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Angela Colston
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Claudia Cordel
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed), Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Maria V Johansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Parkhouse RME, Rojas R G, Aguilar CM, Medina C, Ferrer E, Cortez Alcovedes MM. Diagnosis of Taeniosis in rural Venezuelan communities: Preliminary characterization of a Taenia solium specific monoclonal (VP-1) Coproantigen ELISA. Acta Trop 2020; 207:105445. [PMID: 32224076 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify and treat carriers of adult Taenia solium present in two rural Venezuelan communities through examination of faecal samples by coproscopical analysis, and by the application of a polyclonal and a monoclonal (VP-1) coproantigen ELISA. Both the polyclonal and monoclonal ELISA's were negative when tested with soluble extracts of adults of Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana and Trichuris trichura. The polyclonal ELISA was positive for soluble extracts adults of T. solium and T. saginata, whereas the monoclonal ELISA, which recognizes a glycoprotein, was restricted to T. solium, and was also negative with faecal samples from five cases of T. saginata adult infections. In the first community studied, Potrero Largo (Total population: 300), of 248 faecal samples examined, 2 individuals were positive for Taenia spp eggs by coproscopical analysis and the VP-1 ELISA, and yielded T. solium adults upon purging. In contrast, when the polyclonal coproAg ELISA was applied to the same 248 faecal samples, there were a considerable number of positives. Indeed, seven patients highly positive in the polyclonal ELISA did not yield a Taenia spp upon purging and were negative in the VP-1 ELISA. In the second community studied La Yuca (Total population 560), none of the 333 individuals who donated faeces was positive for Taenia spp eggs. Many, however, were infected with a range of intestinal helminth and protozoan parasites. A total of 76 faecal samples with representative intestinal parasite were then tested in the polyclonal and VP-1 assays. Of these, many gave an unacceptable number of significant optical densities in the polyclonal coproAg ELISA. In contrast, all were negative in the VP-1 ELISA, thus providing evidence for the species specificity of the VP-1 ELISA in faecal samples. These results with the VP-1 coproAg ELISA, although preliminary, justify further validation through the testing of more faecal samples from T. solium and T. saginata adult infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Michael E Parkhouse
- Institute Gulbenkian de Ciencia. Rua Quinta Grande 6, PO box 14, CP 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Glenda Rojas R
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana-Alonso", (BIOMED-UC) Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sede Aragua, Universidad de Carabobo, Av. Las Delicias, Maracay, PO Box: 2351, Aragua, Venezuela; Dpto. Clínico-Integral. Escuela de Bioanálisis, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sede Aragua, Universidad de Carabobo, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Cruz Manuel Aguilar
- Centro de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET-UC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo. San Carlos, Cojedes. Venezuela
| | - Claudio Medina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana-Alonso", (BIOMED-UC) Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sede Aragua, Universidad de Carabobo, Av. Las Delicias, Maracay, PO Box: 2351, Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Elizabeth Ferrer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana-Alonso", (BIOMED-UC) Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sede Aragua, Universidad de Carabobo, Av. Las Delicias, Maracay, PO Box: 2351, Aragua, Venezuela; Dpto. Parasitología. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sede Aragua, Universidad de Carabobo, Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Maria M Cortez Alcovedes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana-Alonso", (BIOMED-UC) Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sede Aragua, Universidad de Carabobo, Av. Las Delicias, Maracay, PO Box: 2351, Aragua, Venezuela
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Maganira JD, Kidima W, Mwita CJ, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Soil contamination by Taenia solium egg DNA in rural villages in Kongwa district, Tanzania. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2020; 10:1772668. [PMID: 32922689 PMCID: PMC7448889 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2020.1772668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence ofTaenia solium DNA from eggs in soils around the households in four Tanzanian villages in Kongwa district were analysed in relation to seasonal fluctuations and infection risk implications. A total of 192 pooled soil samples from five sampling points per household were examined by droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) from 96 pig-keeping households both during the dry and rainy seasons. The pooled samples were first processed by a flotation-double sieving technique, followed by screening for worm DNA employing universal primers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene of human taeniid species and some other helminths. All DNA positive samples were later confirmed by a specific ddPCR probe assay targeting the mitochondrial cox1 gene of T. solium. A total of 17.2% (n = 33) samples were positive with the universal ddPCR, whereas T. solium DNA was confirmed by the specific ddPCR only in 3.1% (n = 3) of the surveyed households. The detection of T. solium DNA in this study spells out a low risk of exposure to T. solium eggs from contaminated household soil. Based on our results, ddPCR seems to be a promising technology for screening T. solium eggs in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Daudi Maganira
- Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Winifrida Kidima
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chacha John Mwita
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Muhigwa A, Preux PM, Gérard D, Marin B, Boumediène F, Ntamwira C, Tsai CH. Comorbidities of epilepsy in low and middle-income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9015. [PMID: 32488109 PMCID: PMC7265529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a major public health concern in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and comorbidities aggravate the burden associated with the disease. The epidemiology of these comorbidities has not been well described, although, identifying the main comorbidities of epilepsy, and their relative importance, is crucial for improving the quality of care. Comorbidities were defined as disorders coexisting with or preceding epilepsy, or else compounded or directly attributed to epilepsy or to its treatment. A meta-analysis of the proportion of main comorbidities by subcontinent as well as overall was also conducted. Out of the 2,300 papers identified, 109 from 39 countries were included in this systematic review. Four groups of comorbidities were identified: parasitic and infectious diseases (44% of comorbid conditions), somatic comorbidities (37%), psychosocial (11%), as well as psychiatric comorbidities (8%). Heterogeneity was statistically significant for most variables then random effect models were used. The most frequently studied comorbidities were: neurocysticercosis (comorbid proportion: 23%, 95% CI: 18-29), head trauma (comorbid proportion: 9%, 95% CI: 5-15) malnutrition (comorbid proportion: 16%, 95% CI: 28-40), stroke (comorbid proportion: 1.3%, 95% CI: 0.2-7.0), and discrimination for education (comorbid proportion: 34%, 95% CI: 28-40). Many comorbidities of epilepsy were identified in LMICs, most of them being infectious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Muhigwa
- INSERM, IRD associated unit, U1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, CHU Limoges, GEIST, 87000, Limoges, France
- Faculté de médecine, Université officielle de Bukavu/1, Avenue Kasongo, Commune d'Ibanda, B.P. 570, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Pierre-Marie Preux
- INSERM, IRD associated unit, U1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, CHU Limoges, GEIST, 87000, Limoges, France.
| | - Daniel Gérard
- INSERM, IRD associated unit, U1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, CHU Limoges, GEIST, 87000, Limoges, France
| | - Benoit Marin
- INSERM, IRD associated unit, U1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, CHU Limoges, GEIST, 87000, Limoges, France
| | - Farid Boumediène
- INSERM, IRD associated unit, U1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, CHU Limoges, GEIST, 87000, Limoges, France
| | - Charles Ntamwira
- Faculté de médecine, Université officielle de Bukavu/1, Avenue Kasongo, Commune d'Ibanda, B.P. 570, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Chung-Huang Tsai
- Department of family medicine, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng Ching hospital, Taiwan No.966.sec. 4, Taiwan Blvd. Xitun Dist., Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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Waema MW, Misinzo G, Kagira JM, Agola EL, Ngowi HA. DNA-Detection Based Diagnostics for Taenia solium Cysticercosis in Porcine. J Parasitol Res 2020; 2020:5706981. [PMID: 32395335 PMCID: PMC7199576 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5706981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine cysticercosis is a neglected and underestimated disease caused by metacestode stage of the tapeworm, Taenia solium (T. solium). Pigs are the intermediate hosts of T. solium while human are the only known definitive host. The disease has an economic consequence because the affected farmers lose 50-100 percent of the value of pigs if they are infected. Lack of affordable, easy to use, sensitive, and specific molecular diagnostic tools for detection of infections at the farm level hinders the control of porcine cysticercosis in endemic areas. A number of DNA based diagnostic assays for the detection of T. solium infections in pigs have been developed and evaluated but none is applicable at low-resource areas where this disease is an endemic. This review focuses mainly on DNA based diagnostic methods, their sensitivity, specificity, and utilization at low-resource areas. We summarized data from 65 studies on the current DNA-detection based diagnostic techniques for T. solium cysticercosis in porcine, published in English between the years 2000-2018, identified through PubMed search engine. Of the different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays developed for identification of T. solium, the most sensitive (97-100%) and specific (100%) one is nested PCR. One study utilized loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a diagnostic tool for the detection of T. solium infections though its field use was never determined. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) has been evaluated as a diagnostic tool for a variety of diseases, but has never been exploited for the diagnosis of cysticercosis/taeniasis. In conclusion, several molecular methods have been developed and evaluated in lab settings. However, there is need to validate these methods as a diagnostic tool to diagnose porcine cysticercosis in low-resource areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell W. Waema
- Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS), Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O Box 3297, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Gerald Misinzo
- Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS), Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O Box 3297, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - John M. Kagira
- Department of Animal Health and Production, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric L. Agola
- Centre of Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O Box 3297, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Helena A. Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O Box 3021, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Neurocysticercosis Among Zambian Children and Adolescents With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Geographic Information Systems Approach. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 102:36-43. [PMID: 31492585 PMCID: PMC7864625 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the brain and a leading cause of epilepsy in resource-limited settings. Although neurocysticercosis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfections have commonly been reported, there are few data on how they interact. As part of an observational study of human immunodeficiency virus and cognition in Lusaka, Zambia, we identified a cluster of subjects with neurocysticercosis. We hypothesized that the neighborhood of residence may be an important factor driving clustering of neurocysticercosis and used a geographic information systems approach to investigate this association. METHODS A total of 34 subjects with human immunodeficiency virus and 13 subjects without human immunodeficiency virus (aged eight to 17 years) enrolled in the HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Zambia study, had magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed, and were evaluated for neurocysticercosis. Quantitative geographic information systems was utilized to investigate the relationship between neighborhood of residence, HIV, and neurocysticercosis. RESULTS Three of 34 subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (8.82%) and one of 13 controls were found to have neurocysticercosis. Geographic cluster analysis demonstrated that all subjects with neurocysticercosis were clustered in two adjacent neighborhoods (Chawama and Kanyama) with lower rates of piped water (Chawama: 22.8%, Kanyama: 26.7%) and flush toilets (Chawama: 14.0%, Kanyama: 14.0%) than the surrounding neighborhoods. CONCLUSION We describe a cluster of patients with both neurocysticercosis and human immunodeficiency virus in Lusaka. Cases of neurocysticercosis clustered in neighborhoods with low rates of piped water and limited access to flush toilets. Geographic information systems may be a useful approach for studying the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus and neurocysticercosis. Larger studies are necessary to further investigate this association.
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Schmidt V, O’Hara MC, Ngowi B, Herbinger KH, Noh J, Wilkins PP, Richter V, Kositz C, Matuja W, Winkler AS. Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniasis in urban settings: Epidemiological evidence from a health-center based study among people with epilepsy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007751. [PMID: 31809501 PMCID: PMC6897529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In Africa, urbanization is happening faster than ever before which results in new implications for transmission of infectious diseases. For the zoonotic parasite Taenia solium, a major cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic countries, the prevalence in urban settings is unknown. The present study investigated epidemiological, neurological, and radiological characteristics of T. solium cysticercosis and taeniasis (TSCT) in people with epilepsy (PWE) living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, one of the fastest growing cities worldwide. A total of 302 PWE were recruited from six health centers in the Kinondoni district of Dar es Salaam. Serological testing for T. solium cysticercosis-antigen (Ag) and -antibodies (Abs) and for T. solium taeniasis-Abs was performed in all PWE. In addition, clinical and radiological examinations that included cranial computed tomography (CT) were performed. With questionnaires, demographic data from study populations were collected, and factors associated with TSCT were assessed. Follow-up examinations were conducted in PWE with TSCT. T. solium cysticercosis-Ag was detected in three (0.99%; 95% CI: 0–2.11%), -Abs in eight (2.65%; 95% CI: 0.84–4.46%), and taeniasis-Abs in five (1.66%; 95% CI: 0.22–3.09%) of 302 PWE. Six PWE (1.99%; 95% CI: 0.41–3.56%) were diagnosed with neurocysticercosis (NCC). This study demonstrates the presence of TSCT in Dar es Salaam, however, NCC was only associated with a few cases of epilepsy. The small fraction of PWE with cysticercosis- and taeniasis-Abs may suggest that active transmission of T. solium plays only a minor role in Dar es Salaam. A sufficiently powered risk analysis was hampered by the small number of PWE with TSCT; therefore, further studies are required to determine the exact routes of infection and risk behavior of affected individuals. Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniasis is a zoonotic disease complex which affects thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa. This parasite has a human-pig life cycle and has been considered a public health problem mainly in rural areas. As African towns and suburbs grow rapidly and disproportionally, adequate infrastructure such as sewage systems and clean water often lack while population density, trade, and travel increase. This may lead to the appearance of parasitic diseases formerly considered `rural´ in urban settings. In this study, we searched for evidence of T. solium infections in the Kinondoni district of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We focused on people with epilepsy (PWE) since epilepsy is one of the most common and severe disorders associated with T. solium neurocysticercosis and tested all of them serologically for T. solium cysticercosis and taeniasis. We further investigated neurological and radiological characteristics. Our findings show that in our study area in Dar es Salaam 2.65% of PWE had contracted T. solium infection at some stage. Neurocysticercosis, as confirmed by neuroimaging, was found only in 1.99% of PWE. This, in combination with the relatively small number of PWE detected with taeniasis antibodies (1.66%), points towards the fact that active transmission of T. solium seems to play only a minor role in this urban setting, suggesting that infections may mainly be contracted in rural areas. Further large-scale studies are required to investigate the infection pathways and risk behavior related to T. solium infections within urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Marie-Claire O’Hara
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Elbe Klinikum Stade, Stade, Germany
| | - Bernard Ngowi
- Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Karl-Heinz Herbinger
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Medical Center of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - John Noh
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Patricia Procell Wilkins
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Vivien Richter
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Evangelical Hospital Alsterdorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Kositz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Schwitzerland
| | - William Matuja
- Department of Neurology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Andrea Sylvia Winkler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Maganira JD, Mwang'onde BJ, Kidima W, Mwita CJ, Höglund J. Seroprevalence of circulating taeniid antigens in pigs and associated risk factors in Kongwa district, Tanzania. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2019; 7:e00123. [PMID: 31872092 PMCID: PMC6911909 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to porcine cysticercosis (PC) and associated risk factors in the Kongwa District, eastern-central Tanzania. For the first time a cross-sectional investigation of the seroprevalence in pigs using a commercial genus specific cysticercosis enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (apDia Ag-ELISA) was undertaken in eastern-central Tanzania. Moreover, the identity of suspected T. solium cysts from pigs in the study area were confirmed by sequencing parasites' mitochondrial cox1 gene. Structured questionnaires and direct observations were used to investigate risk factors associated with parasite transmission. A total of 102 pig-keeping households were surveyed during the dry season between July and August 2017 and 126 households in the rainy season between March and April 2018. Of the 447 examined pigs, 77 (17%, 95% C.I. 14%-20%) tested positive in the ELISA. Seroprevalence was higher in pigs examined during the rainy (21%, 95% C.I. 16%-26%) than dry (12%, 95% C.I. 7%-17%) season (p = 0.019). Eight cyst-positive-pigs were confirmed to be infected with T. solium by sequencing. Risk factors associated with PC seropositivity included origin of piglets or pigs (OR = 0.27, 95% C.I. 0.13-0.42, p = 0.001), socioeconomic factors and pig production system (OR = 0.22, 95% C.I. 0.07-0.37, p = 0.005) and sanitation and hygiene practices (OR = 0.19, 95% C.I. 0.04-0.34, p = 0.014). This study has recorded a high Taenia spp. seroprevalence in pigs in Kongwa suggesting the presence of people in the community carrying the adult parasite, Taenia solium. Our findings also suggest risk of infection by T. solium to people in urban centres and cities consuming pigs from rural areas in Kongwa. The high seroprevalence in Kongwa calls for further studies on taeniasis and cysticercosis in the human population in order to determine suitable control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine D Maganira
- Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Beda J Mwang'onde
- Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Winifrida Kidima
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chacha J Mwita
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Huang X, Wang Z, Kou J, Liu H, Mao D, Yu Z, Liu X, Cheng P, Gong M. A Large Cohort of Neurocysticercosis in Shandong Province, Eastern China, 1997-2015. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:901-907. [PMID: 31314709 PMCID: PMC6882449 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) has a wide spectrum of neurologic and psychiatric manifestations, including epileptic seizures, high intracranial pressure, cognitive dysfunction, and meningoencephalitis. This study presents the clinical diagnosis of 2539 NCC patients in Shandong Province, Eastern China, from 1997 to 2015. The diagnosis was based primarily on clinical features, neuroimaging, immunology, and electroencephalogramy studies. In all age groups, seizures were found to be the most common manifestation, followed by headaches, memory loss, and limb numbness, and disability. After antiparasitic treatment, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed that most of the lesions had been completely absorbed in 2106 (82.95%) patients, most of the lesions had been absorbed and a small proportion was converted into calcifications in 433 (17.05%) cases. Indirect hemagglutination (IHA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and circulating antigen (CAg) serum tests initially gave 76.45%, 86.37%, and 80.66% positive results, respectively. After antiparasitic therapy, the positive rates of the IHA, ELISA, and CAg tests were 74.77%, 84.70%, and 3.75%, respectively, showing no significant difference in antibody levels (p > 0.05), but a significant difference in CAg levels (p < 0.01). The clinical antiparasitic treatment of NCC with three to four courses of a combination of albendazole and praziquantel achieved satisfactory therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Huang
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhonglei Wang
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jingxuan Kou
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dehua Mao
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhenhua Yu
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xin Liu
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Maoqing Gong
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis and Taeniasis/Cysticercosis, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong Province, China
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Ngowi HA, Winkler AS, Braae UC, Mdegela RH, Mkupasi EM, Kabululu ML, Lekule FP, Johansen MV. Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis literature in Tanzania provides research evidence justification for control: A systematic scoping review. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217420. [PMID: 31166983 PMCID: PMC6550401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis (TSTC) having been put high on the global agenda of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which over the last years has received a lot of attention, there has been no control programmes in place in sub-Saharan Africa, a highly endemic region. This could be attributed to lack of awareness of many stakeholders on the burden and impact of T. solium. This information is essential in guiding TSTC policies, practices and research agendas as well as encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration in the control of this important zoonotic parasite using a One Health approach. National elimination of the parasite is the foundation for global eradication. This will require that substantial country-level information is provided to all key stakeholders. We have mapped out TSTC research evidence in Tanzania to inform on disease burden and potential for integrated control measures. Methodology/Principal findings A scoping review of all TSTC studies undertaken in Tanzania and published up to December 2018 was conducted. The articles were searched from PUBMED, AJOL, Google Scholar and Google in general. Fifty-one (51) articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Prevalence of taeniosis of 2.3% - 5.2% was estimated based on copro-antigen ELISA while human cysticercosis of >16% was estimated based on serum antigen ELISA (Ag-ELISA) or IgG Western Blot. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) contributed significantly to epilepsy in adults. Farm prevalence of porcine cysticercosis were 6.0% - 17.4% (lingual examination) and 1.5% - 33.3% (Ag-ELISA). Slaughter-slab prevalence were 0% - 18.2% (routine meat inspection). Lacking latrines, watering pigs with river or pond water, and feeding pigs with potato peels were associated with porcine cysticercosis prevalence. Washing hands by dipping method increased the risk of human cysticercosis. In 2012, the number of DALYs/1000 person-years for NCC-associated epilepsy was 0.7 (95% UI, 0.2–1.6), around 5 million USD (95% UI, 797,535–16,933,477) were spent due to NCC-associated epilepsy and nearly 3 million USD (95% UI, 1,095,960–5,366,038) were potentially lost due to porcine cysticercosis. Three rounds of annual treatment of school-age children with praziquantel significantly reduced prevalence of taeniosis and porcine cysticercosis. Health education was efficacious in improving knowledge and attitudes favourable for control of TSTC while a single dose of oxfendazole 30 mg/kg body weight was efficacious in eliminating T. solium cysticerci from pig musculature. Conclusions/Significance The observed high burden of TSTC and the significant contribution of NCC to epilepsy in Tanzania warrant urgent interventions. Evaluation of best control options should make use of disease transmission dynamics models such as cystiSim, taking into account findings from the field based intervention studies. In addition, locally adapted management guidelines for people suffering from NCC are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Aminiel Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrea Sylvia Winkler
- Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Uffe Christian Braae
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ernatus Martin Mkupasi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | | | - Faustin Peter Lekule
- Department of Animal Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Maria Vang Johansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Meester M, Swart A, Deng H, van Roon A, Trevisan C, Dorny P, Gabriël S, Vieira-Pinto M, Johansen MV, van der Giessen J. A quantitative risk assessment for human Taenia solium exposure from home slaughtered pigs in European countries. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:82. [PMID: 30755275 PMCID: PMC6371533 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3320-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taenia solium, a zoonotic tapeworm, is responsible for about a third of all preventable epilepsy human cases in endemic regions. In Europe, adequate biosecurity of pig housing and meat inspection practices have decreased the incidence of T. solium taeniosis and cysticercosis. Pigs slaughtered at home may have been raised in suboptimal biosecurity conditions and slaughtered without meat inspection. As a result, consumption of undercooked pork from home slaughtered pigs could pose a risk for exposure to T. solium. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of human T. solium exposure from meat of home slaughtered pigs, in comparison to controlled slaughtered pigs, in European countries. A quantitative microbial risk assessment model (QMRA) was developed and porcine cysticercosis prevalence data, the percentage of home slaughtered pigs, meat inspection sensitivity, the cyst distribution in pork and pork consumption in five European countries, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Romania and Spain, were included as variables in the model. This was combined with literature about cooking habits to estimate the number of infected pork portions eaten per year in a country. RESULTS The results of the model showed a 13.83 times higher prevalence of contaminated pork portions from home slaughtered pigs than controlled slaughtered pigs. This difference is brought about by the higher prevalence of cysticercosis in pigs that are home raised and slaughtered. Meat inspection did not affect the higher exposure from pork that is home slaughtered. Cooking meat effectively lowered the risk of exposure to T. solium-infected pork. CONCLUSIONS This QMRA showed that there is still a risk of obtaining an infection with T. solium due to consumption of pork, especially when pigs are reared and slaughtered at home, using data of five European countries that reported porcine cysticercosis cases. We propose systematic reporting of cysticercosis cases in slaughterhouses, and in addition molecularly confirming suspected cases to gain more insight into the presence of T. solium in pigs and the risk for humans in Europe. When more data become available, this QMRA model could be used to evaluate human exposure to T. solium in Europe and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Meester
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Arno Swart
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Huifang Deng
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Annika van Roon
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Madalena Vieira-Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- CECAV, Centro de Ciência Animale Veterinária, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria Vang Johansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Joke van der Giessen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Mwang'onde BJ, Chacha MJ, Nkwengulila G. The status and health burden of neurocysticercosis in Mbulu district, northern Tanzania. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:890. [PMID: 30545404 PMCID: PMC6293552 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the extent and health burden of neurocysticercosis in the general community of the Mbulu district, northern Tanzania. About 1051 randomly select participants were screened for human cysticercosis. The Cysticercus Western Blot IgG and Computed Tomography scan were used to detect infection by cysticerci. The DALYs was used to assess the community's health burden vis-a-vis neurocysticercosis. RESULTS The sero-prevalence of HCC was 16.27%. About 76% of 25 selected human cysticercosis sero-positives had neurocysticercosis suggestive lesions on CT scan and 74% had history of epilepsy. Epilepsy caused 2.8 years of life lost and 2.2 healthy years of life lost due to disability per 1000 person-years in Mbulu. The average DALYs imposed due to neurocysticercosis and epilepsy were 3.0 and 3.9 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Neurocysticercosis is a serious public health concern in northern Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beda John Mwang'onde
- Department of Biosciences, Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Mwita John Chacha
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.,Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, Wellcome Trust Fellow, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gamba Nkwengulila
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Ng-Nguyen D, Stevenson MA, Breen K, Phan TV, Nguyen VAT, Vo TV, Traub RJ. The epidemiology of Taenia spp. infection and Taenia solium cysticerci exposure in humans in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:527. [PMID: 30348095 PMCID: PMC6198533 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3434-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vietnam is endemic for taeniasis and T. solium cysticercosis. Despite this, information on the epidemiological characteristics of the diseases in the Central Highlands of Vietnam are poorly described. The aims of this study were to determine the epidemiological characteristics of taeniasis (Taenia spp.) and T. solium cysticerci exposure in humans in Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out in six villages in three districts of Dak Lak. A total of 190 households were visited. From each household, between one and five individuals were asked to donate a single faecal and blood sample and respond to a questionnaire. Serum samples were subjected to lentil lectin purified glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay to detect antibodies against T. solium cysticerci. Multiplex real-time PCR was used to detect Taenia spp. infection in faecal samples. A fixed-effects logistic regression model was developed to identify factors associated with the probability of Taenia spp. infection or T. solium cysticerci exposure risk. The contribution of each of identified factor was quantified using population attributable fractions. RESULTS The prevalence of seroexposure to T. solium in Dak Lak was 5% (95% CI 3% to 8%). Consumption of raw vegetables, sourcing drinking water from lakes, streams or ponds and the practice of outdoor defaecation were identified as primary risk factors for the prevalence of T. solium cysticerci exposure, while consuming undercooked pork and beef, pork tongue and observing Taenia proglottids in stool were associated with Taenia spp. infection. Consumption of raw vegetables attributed to 74% of T. solium cysticerci exposure-positive cases and consumption of undercooked beef attributed to 77% of taeniasis cases in these communities. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of T. solium seroexposure in Dak Lak is consistent with those reported in other regions of Vietnam. The identified risk factors associated with the prevalence of T. solium seroexposure and taeniasis infection in Dak Lak are modifiable and thus advocate for targeted community intervention programs to mitigating these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinh Ng-Nguyen
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Tay Nguyen University, Dak Lak, Vietnam.
| | - Mark Anthony Stevenson
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Kathleen Breen
- Department of Livestock, Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Trong Van Phan
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tay Nguyen University, Dak Lak, Vietnam
| | - Van-Anh Thi Nguyen
- Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Tay Nguyen University, Dak Lak, Vietnam
| | - Tinh Van Vo
- Department of Physiology, Pathology and Immunology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Rebecca Justine Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
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Mushonga B, Habarugira G, Birori A, Kandiwa E, Samkange A, Bhebhe E. An epidemiological survey of the magnitude and local perceptions of porcine cysticercosis by two methods in Nyaruguru district, Rwanda. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 14:18-24. [PMID: 31014726 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the magnitude of porcine cysticercosis (PC), its risk factors, economic effects and the perceptions of 80 pig farmers from Nyabimata (n = 38) and Muganza (n = 42) and 20 registered butchers in the Nyaruguru district of Rwanda. January to December 2013 slaughter records from Kamirabagenzi market were also analysed for PC diagnoses based on the tongue test and meat inspection. During this period, the responding farmers' records showed a tongue test-based PC magnitude (3.9%, n = 984) which was lower than the collective tongue test-based PC magnitude of 9.2% (n = 1720) at Kamirabagenzi (p < .05). The overall magnitude of PC based on routine meat inspection diagnosis at Kamirabagenzi was 4%. The overall magnitude of PC for respondents using Free-range production systems (7.9%) was significantly greater than for those in Semi-intensive (2.1%) and Intensive production systems (1.5%) (p < .05). Though most farmers (90%) knew that PC is zoonotic, only 22.5% of the farmers opted for treatment of PC-infected pigs and 52.5% were willing to seek veterinary inspection while the rest (25%) opted to circumvent veterinary inspection (P > .05). Most butchers (70%) indicated they would circumvent veterinary inspection and continue to slaughter PC-positive animals whilst the rest (30%) indicated they would resell PC positive animals to defray costs (P < .05). The low sensitivity and specificity of methods used for PC detection in the study, implies that this may just be the tip of an iceberg and the actual magnitude is most likely to be much higher. In conclusion, PC is endemic in the Nyaruguru district of Rwanda with a high proportion of positive animals. The condition has public health implications and is worsening the economic plight of the impoverished Nyaruguru community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borden Mushonga
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Neudamm Campus, University of Namibia, P. Bag 13301, Pioneerspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Gervais Habarugira
- School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 57, Nyagatare, Rwanda.
| | - Aloys Birori
- School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 57, Nyagatare, Rwanda
| | - Erick Kandiwa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Neudamm Campus, University of Namibia, P. Bag 13301, Pioneerspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Alaster Samkange
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Neudamm Campus, University of Namibia, P. Bag 13301, Pioneerspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Evison Bhebhe
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
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Robertson FC, Lepard JR, Mekary RA, Davis MC, Yunusa I, Gormley WB, Baticulon RE, Mahmud MR, Misra BK, Rattani A, Dewan MC, Park KB. Epidemiology of central nervous system infectious diseases: a meta-analysis and systematic review with implications for neurosurgeons worldwide. J Neurosurg 2018:1-20. [PMID: 29905514 DOI: 10.3171/2017.10.jns17359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVECentral nervous system (CNS) infections cause significant morbidity and mortality and often require neurosurgical intervention for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, neither the international burden of CNS infection, nor the current capacity of the neurosurgical workforce to treat these diseases is well characterized. The objective of this study was to elucidate the global incidence of surgically relevant CNS infection, highlighting geographic areas for targeted improvement in neurosurgical capacity.METHODSA systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed to capture studies published between 1990 and 2016. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched using variations of terms relating to CNS infection and epidemiology (incidence, prevalence, burden, case fatality, etc.). To deliver a geographic breakdown of disease, results were pooled using the random-effects model and stratified by WHO region and national income status for the different CNS infection types.RESULTSThe search yielded 10,906 studies, 154 of which were used in the final qualitative analysis. A meta-analysis was performed to compute disease incidence by using data extracted from 71 of the 154 studies. The remaining 83 studies were excluded from the quantitative analysis because they did not report incidence. A total of 508,078 cases of CNS infections across all studies were included, with a total sample size of 130,681,681 individuals. Mean patient age was 35.8 years (range: newborn to 95 years), and the male/female ratio was 1:1.74. Among the 71 studies with incidence data, 39 were based in high-income countries, 25 in middle-income countries, and 7 in low-income countries. The pooled incidence of studied CNS infections was consistently highest in low-income countries, followed by middle- and then high-income countries. Regarding WHO regions, Africa had the highest pooled incidence of bacterial meningitis (65 cases/100,000 people), neurocysticercosis (650/100,000), and tuberculous spondylodiscitis (55/100,000), whereas Southeast Asia had the highest pooled incidence of intracranial abscess (49/100,000), and Europe had the highest pooled incidence of nontuberculous vertebral spondylodiscitis (5/100,000). Overall, few articles reported data on deaths associated with infection. The limited case fatality data revealed the highest case fatality for tuberculous meningitis/spondylodiscitis (21.1%) and the lowest for neurocysticercosis (5.5%). In all five disease categories, funnel plots assessing for publication bias were asymmetrical and suggested that the results may underestimate the incidence of disease.CONCLUSIONSThis systematic review and meta-analysis approximates the global incidence of neurosurgically relevant infectious diseases. These results underscore the disproportionate burden of CNS infections in the developing world, where there is a tremendous demand to provide training and resources for high-quality neurosurgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith C Robertson
- 1Harvard Medical School.,2Computational Neuroscience Outcomes Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jacob R Lepard
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rania A Mekary
- 2Computational Neuroscience Outcomes Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Boston, Massachusetts.,4MCPHS University, Department of Pharmaceutical Business and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Boston
| | - Matthew C Davis
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ismaeel Yunusa
- 2Computational Neuroscience Outcomes Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Boston, Massachusetts.,4MCPHS University, Department of Pharmaceutical Business and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Boston
| | - William B Gormley
- 1Harvard Medical School.,2Computational Neuroscience Outcomes Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Boston, Massachusetts.,5Department of Neurological Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ronnie E Baticulon
- 6University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Muhammad Raji Mahmud
- 7Department of Surgery, National Hospital Abuja, PMB 425, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Basant K Misra
- 8Department of Neurosurgery & Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, P. D. Hinduja National Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai, India
| | - Abbas Rattani
- 9Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.,10Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Michael C Dewan
- 10Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and.,11Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kee B Park
- 10Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
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Trevisan C, Devleesschauwer B, Praet N, Pondja A, Assane YA, Dorny P, Thamsborg SM, Magnussen P, Johansen MV. Assessment of the societal cost of Taenia solium in Angónia district, Mozambique. BMC Infect Dis 2018. [PMID: 29534702 PMCID: PMC5850967 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3030-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The zoonotic parasite Taenia solium is endemic in Angónia district, Tete province, Mozambique, though the burden of the disease complex is unknown. Methods As part of two cross-sectional studies on human and porcine cysticercosis in the area, unique epidemiological and cost data were collected in Angónia district, Mozambique in 2007. These data provided the basis for the assessment of the societal cost of T. solium in the district, which estimates the impact of the disease on human and pig populations and includes both health and economic approaches in the analysis. Results Approximately 0.7% (95% Uncertainty Interval (UI), 0.4–0.9) and 0.4% (95% UI, 0.2–0.6) of the total population in the district was estimated to suffer from neurocysticercosis (NCC)-associated epilepsy and headache. The estimated average number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to NCC-associated epilepsy and headache was 6 (95% UI, 4–8) per thousand persons per year. The total annual costs due to T. solium cysticercosis were estimated at 90,000 USD (95% UI, 39,483–201,463) of which 72% (95% UI, 45–91) were costs linked to human cysticercosis and 28% (95% UI, 9.5–55) to pig production losses. The annual economic burden per NCC-associated epilepsy case in the district amounted to 33 USD (95% UI, 10–76). Conclusions In this highly endemic area of Mozambique a large number of individuals suffer from symptoms associated with NCC. Healthy years of life are lost and people are left living with disabilities. Infected pork poses a serious risk to the community and affects the economy of smallholder farmers. Cost for treatment and hospitalization of patients with NCC-associated epilepsy, and lack of productivity and inability of suffering patients to work, further hinder socioeconomic development. Feasible solutions framed within a country specific algorithm and stepwise approaches are needed to control the parasite in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Praet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alberto Pondja
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Yunus Amade Assane
- Department of Neurology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Medical Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Stig Milan Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Vang Johansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cestodes infections in humans are among the most prevalent parasitosis worldwide. Although tapeworm infection is often asymptomatic, they can be associated with a range of symptoms. The landscape of cestode infections is changing with rapid diagnosis techniques and advanced molecular diagnosis aiding in identification of species specific epidemiology. RECENT FINDINGS Traditional descriptions of species by location have been challenged with molecular diagnostic techniques, which show variation in distribution of species, thought to be because of globalization and importation of disease. MAIN THEMES IN LITERATURE Epidemiology, molecular diagnostic techniques. SUMMARY Infection by tapeworms is often asymptomatic or accompanied by mild symptoms though can occasionally cause severe disease and contribute to anemia and malnutrition. Tapeworm infection is most prevalent in resource-poor countries but the distribution is worldwide. Epidemiology of infection is changing because of molecular diagnostics, which allow more accurate tracking of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Webb
- Division of Infectious Disease Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Maganira JD, Hepelwa NI, Mwang’onde BJ. Seroprevalence of Porcine Cysticercosis in Ludewa District, Njombe, Tanzania. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.4236/aid.2018.83014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Zafindraibe NJ, Ralalarinivo J, Rakotoniaina AI, Maeder MN, Andrianarivelo MR, Contamin B, Michault A, Rasamindrakotroka A. [Seroprevalence of cysticercosis and associated risk factors in a group of patients examined at the Regional Referral Hospital in Antsirabe]. Pan Afr Med J 2017; 28:260. [PMID: 29881503 PMCID: PMC5989193 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.260.10463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Madagascar, cysticercosis, a disease caused by Taenia Solium's larval form, is a public health problem. In 2003, the seroprevalence of cysticercosis ranged between 7% and 21% with a higher rate in the central regions of the island. However, epidemiological data on human cysticercosis have been limited over the last dozen years. The objective of our study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of cysticercosis Western blot as well as its associated risk factors in patients from the region of Vakinankaratra with clinical suspicion. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study at the Regional Referral Hospital in Antsirabe over a period of 6 months. All the patients included in the study answered a clinic questionnaire collecting their socio-demographic and cultural features as well as their dietary habits and their clinical symptoms. Results The seroprevalence of cysticercosis in the study population was 14.8% (35/237). These rates did not differ significantly according to sex, age, pork consumption or meat preparation (p > 0.05). However, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed among patients with subcutaneous nodules or positive for cysticercosis. Conclusion In our study, the high index of exposure to Taenia solium justifies the strengthening of control and prevention measures already set up in our country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norosoa Julie Zafindraibe
- Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Faculté de Médecine, Université d'Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | - Muriel Nirina Maeder
- Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Fondation Mérieux, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Bénedicte Contamin
- Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Fondation Mérieux, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Alain Michault
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Hygiène Hospitalière, Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, Ile de la Réunion
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Donadeu M, Fahrion AS, Olliaro PL, Abela-Ridder B. Target product profiles for the diagnosis of Taenia solium taeniasis, neurocysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005875. [PMID: 28892472 PMCID: PMC5608417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Target Product Profiles (TPPs) are process tools providing product requirements to guide researchers, developers and manufacturers in their efforts to develop effective and useful products such as biologicals, drugs or diagnostics. During a WHO Stakeholders Meeting on Taenia solium diagnostics, several TPPs were initiated to address diagnostic needs for different stages in the parasite's transmission (taeniasis, human and porcine cysticercosis). Following the meeting, draft TPPs were completed and distributed for consultation to 100 people/organizations, including experts in parasitology, human and pig cysticercosis, diagnostic researchers and manufacturers, international organizations working with neglected or zoonotic diseases, Ministries of Health and Ministries of Livestock in some of the endemic countries, WHO regional offices and other interested parties. There were 53 respondents. All comments and feedback received were considered and discussions were held with different experts according to their area of expertise. The comments were consolidated and final TPPs are presented here. They are considered to be live documents which are likely to undergo review and updating in the future when new knowledge and technologies become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Donadeu
- The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
- Initiative for Neglected Animal Diseases (INAND), Midrand, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna S. Fahrion
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Piero L. Olliaro
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Bernadette Abela-Ridder
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland
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Gripper LB, Welburn SC. The causal relationship between neurocysticercosis infection and the development of epilepsy - a systematic review. Infect Dis Poverty 2017; 6:31. [PMID: 28376856 PMCID: PMC5381143 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-017-0245-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection of the human central nervous system, the most common form of which involves infection of the brain parenchyma with the larval form of the Taenia solium tapeworm. A causal relationship between such an NCC infection and the development of epilepsy in infected individuals is acknowledged, in part supported by high levels of comorbidity in endemic countries worldwide. METHODS This study undertook a systematic review and critical analysis of the NCC-epilepsy relationship with the primary objective of quantifying the risk of developing epilepsy following NCC infection. A secondary aim was to analyse the proportions of NCC-associated epilepsy within different populations. Significant emphasis was placed on the importance of neuroimaging (CT or MRI) availability and use of clear guidelines for epilepsy diagnosis, in order to avoid overestimations of prevalence rates of either condition; a limitation identified in several previous studies. RESULTS A common odds ratio of 2.76 was identified from meta-analysis of case-control studies, indicating that an individual infected with NCC has almost a three times higher risk of developing epilepsy than an uninfected individual. Furthermore, meta-analysis of studies identified a common proportion of 31.54% of epilepsy cases associated with NCC infection which suggests that amongst epileptic populations in at risk countries, approximately one-third may be associated with NCC infection. CONCLUSION A significant finding was the lack of good clinical data to enable accurate determination of a causal relationship. Even studies that were included had noticeable limitations, including a general lack of consistency in diagnostics, and lack of accurate epidemiological data. This review highlights a need for consistency in research in this field. In the absence of reliable estimates of its global burden, NCC will remain of low priority in the eyes of funding agencies - a truly neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy B. Gripper
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh Infectious Diseases, Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB Scotland UK
| | - Susan C. Welburn
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh Infectious Diseases, Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB Scotland UK
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Changes in the seroprevalence of cysticercosis in suspected patients in Chandigarh, India between 1998 and 2014: analysis of 17 years of data. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:1159-1167. [PMID: 28091347 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816003356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in seroprevalence of cysticercosis diagnosed in Chandigarh, India between 1998 and 2014 were investigated by extraction and analysis of data from records held at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh. Among the total number of samples for which cysticercosis had been suspected during this period (N = 9650), 1716 (17·8%) were seropositive. Adults were more likely to be seropositive than children, and women were more likely to be seropositive than men. In addition to there being fewer patients with suspicion of cysticercosis over the data analysis period, the proportion of patients seropositive also reduced significantly. Despite these reductions, which are probably associated with improved infrastructure and sanitation within Chandigarh, and despite meat consumption being relatively rare in this area, the extent of cysticercosis in this population remains problematic. Further efforts should be made to reduce transmission of this infection, with particular emphasis on women. Such efforts should follow the One Health concept, and involve medical efforts (including diagnosis and treatment of T. solium tapeworm carriers), veterinary efforts directed towards meat inspection and prevention of infection of pigs, and environmental health and sanitation engineers (to minimize environmental contamination with human waste).
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Kungu JM, Dione MM, Ejobi F, Ocaido M, Grace D. Risk factors, perceptions and practices associated with Taenia solium cysticercosis and its control in the smallholder pig production systems in Uganda: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:1. [PMID: 28049444 PMCID: PMC5209818 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-2122-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence studies report Taenia solium cysticercosis in pig and human populations in Uganda. However, the factors influencing occurrence in smallholder pig production systems are not well documented and little is known about farmers' perceptions of T. solium cysticercosis or farmer practices that could reduce transmission. METHODS To determine the risk factors, perceptions and practices regarding T. solium cysticercosis, a household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted in 1185 households in the rural and urban pig production systems in Masaka, Mukono and Kamuli Districts. Logistic regression was used to measure associations of risk factors with infection. Performance scores were calculated to summarise perceptions and practices of farmers regarding taeniosis, human cysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis as well as farmer behavior related to control or breaking transmission. RESULTS Pig breed type, farmers' knowledge about transmission, sources of water used, and pig keeping homes where family members were unable to use the latrine were all significantly associated with T. solium cysticercosis in pigs. Performance scores indicated that farmers were more aware of taeniosis (63.0%; 95% Confidence Interval 60.0-65.8) than human or porcine cysticercosis; only three farmers (0.3%, 95% CI = 0.1-0.8) had knowledge on all three conditions. More farmers reported that they dewormed pigs (94.1%) than reported deworming themselves and their family members (62.0%). Albendazole was the most commonly used drug for deworming both pigs and humans (85.0 and 81.5% respectively). Just over half (54.6%) of the farmers interviewed had clean water near the latrines for washing hands. Of these, only 41.9% used water with soap to wash hands after latrine use. CONCLUSION Factors that significantly influenced occurrence of T. solium cysticercosis in pigs were identified. Farmers had some knowledge about the disease but did not link taeniosis, human cysticercosis, and porcine cysticercosis. Therefore, there is need to employ strategies that raise awareness and interrupt transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Kungu
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 96, Tororo, Uganda
- College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michel M. Dione
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francis Ejobi
- College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michael Ocaido
- College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Delia Grace
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ertel RL, Braae UC, Ngowi HA, Johansen MV. Assessment of a computer-based Taenia solium health education tool 'The Vicious Worm' on knowledge uptake among professionals and their attitudes towards the program. Acta Trop 2017; 165:240-245. [PMID: 26536396 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Health education has been recognised as a specific intervention tool for control of Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis but evaluation of the efficacy of the tool remains. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of a computer-based T. solium health education tool 'The Vicious Worm' on knowledge uptake among professionals and investigate attitudes towards the program. The study was carried out between March and May 2014 in Mbeya Region, Tanzania, where T. solium is endemic. The study was a pre and post assessment of a health education tool based on questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions to investigate knowledge and attitudes. A total of 79 study subjects participated in the study including study subjects from both health- and agriculture sector. The health education consisted of 1½h individual practice with the computer program. The baseline questionnaire showed an overall knowledge on aspects of acquisition and transmission of T. solium infections (78%), porcine cysticercosis treatment (77%), human tapeworm in general (72%), neurocysticercosis in general (49%), and porcine cysticercosis diagnosis (48%). However, there was a lack of knowledge on acquisition of neurocysticercosis (15%), prevention of T. solium taeniosis/cysticercosis (28%), and relation between porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis, and taeniosis (32%). Overall, the study subject's knowledge was significantly improved both immediately after (p=0.001) and two weeks after (p<0.001) the health education and knowledge regarding specific aspects was significantly improved in most aspects immediately after and two weeks after the health education. The focus group discussions showed positive attitudes towards the program and the study subjects found 'The Vicious Worm' efficient, simple, and appealing. The study revealed a good effect of 'The Vicious Worm' suggesting that it could be a useful health education tool, which should be further assessed and thereafter integrated in T. solium taeniosis/cysticercosis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Lund Ertel
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Uffe Christian Braae
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helena Aminiel Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3021 Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Maria Vang Johansen
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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