Genetic diversity and haplotypes of Cysticercus tenuicollis isolates from slaughtered sheep and goats in Elazig and Bingol provinces of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The cestode Taenia hydatigena uses canids, primarily dogs, as definitive hosts, whereas the metacestode larval stage cysticercus infects a range of intermediate hosts, including domestic animals such as goats, sheep and pigs. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to determine the genetic differences and haplotypes of Cysticercus tenuicollis isolates obtained from sheep and goats slaughtered in the Bingol and Elazig provinces of Turkey. METHODS: C. tenuicollis isolates were collected from 44 sheep and 26 goats slaughtered in slaughterhouses in Bingol and Elazig. After the isolation of total genomic DNA from C. tenuicollis isolates, the genetic characterization of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene region (866 bp) was amplified using specific primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the products were then sequenced, and haplotype and genetic diversity analyses were carried out. RESULTS: As a result of the haplotype network analyses, 34 different haplotypes were detected around the main haplotype (Hap02) arranged in a star-like configuration and separated from other haplotypes by 1-28 mutation steps and covering 22.85% (16/70) of all isolates. Twenty-seven polymorphic fields were detected, 77.77% (21/27) of which were parsimony-informative, and secondary haplotype and nucleotide diversity were observed. Additionally, we detected high intraspecies haplotype diversity (hd: 0.933) and high nucleotide diversity (π: 0.00383), with 27 different nucleotide variation positions among the haplotypes of the isolates. Tajima's D value was negative, indicating population expansion and/or selection purification. The significantly negative Fu's Fs values indicated recent population expansion or the presence of expected rare haplotypes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed that C. tenuicollis isolates clustered in one lineage and were closely related to the relevant reference sequences in different countries, confirming the circulation of C. tenuicollis in different geographical regions.

Investigation of Cysticercosis bovis prevalence using passive abattoir post-mortem inspection and active administration of structured non-participatory questionnaire to farmers in Botswana.

Most government published statistics of C. bovis prevalence in Botswana emanate mainly from records available at the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), the country's national export abattoir. Although BMC slaughters 44% of Botswana's annual cattle slaughter, prevalence data arising from BMC does not reflect prevalence from lower throughput abattoirs and potential hotspots. Thus, reporting national prevalence rate using solely BMC statistics may not be very informative and reflective of the bigger picture. It therefore became imperative to probe prevalence of bovine cysticercosis using a cross-sectional study through passive abattoir inspection, covering a wider scope (more regions) and some lower throughput abattoirs previously not accounted for. Furthermore, non-participatory interview using structured questionnaires was employed to actively elicit prevalence information directly from meat industry stake holders. Prevalence arising from survey was used to compare and query results from statutory (traditional) passive abattoir method. Abattoir prevalence was 17.17% (SE = 1.70027), and survey prevalence was 42.35%; both of which were higher than published prevalence of 13.5% and BMC prevalence of 10% (SE = 0.006576). Survey method was more holistic than passive abattoir method, by covering more frontiers thus yielding higher prevalence. At p = 025, abattoir and survey prevalence were significantly different from each other. In addition to delimitating novel hotspots in Botswana, this study showed significant difference, p = 0.002 in prevalence within districts and regions. Kalagadi district's prevalence differed significantly from other districts: differed from North East at p = 0.042, Central district at p = 0.002 and Ghanzi at p = 0.004. The results which arise from this methodological approach have been able to provide a more all-inclusive and reliable prevalence rate.

Infection rate and biochemical characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis from sheep in Minoufiya governorate, Egypt.

Cysticercus tenuicollis, the larval stage of Taenia hydatigenia, infects sheep and causes economic losses due to condemnation of infected organs. This study was designed to report the infection rate, risk factors, biochemical, and molecular characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis in sheep from Ashmoun, Minoufiya, Egypt. The infection rate was 18%. The age was a risk factor for infection where there was a significant difference in infection rate between sheep more than 3 years and sheep under 3 years of age. There was no significant difference between infection in male and female groups. The liver had the highest organ distribution followed by omentum. Biochemical analysis of the cyst fluid showed some variations in the levels of ALT, AST, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, urea nitrogen, calcium, sodium, chromium, potassium than the levels identified in Algeria, Iraq, and Iran. PCR and sequence analysis of cox1 and ssrRNA showed that the sequences from Minoufiya, Egypt were highly identical to the related ones from several countries and confirmed the cyst is Cysticercus tenuicollis. This study reported the infection rate, risk factors, biochemical analysis, and molecular characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis in sheep from Minoufiya, Egypt.

Current approaches to cysticidal drug therapy for neurocysticercosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cysticidal drugs have improved the prognosis of thousands of patients with neurocysticercosis (NCC). However, conflicting studies have created controversies on the actual value of these drugs. Here, the reasons of these controversies, as well as evidence showing the beneficial role of cysticidal drugs are reviewed. AREAS COVERED: The present review (based on different databases searches up to March 2020), focuses on the evidence supporting the use of cysticidal drugs in patients with NCC. For parenchymal NCC, albendazole alone must be used for patients with one or two cysts, while the combination of albendazole plus praziquantel is advised for those with more than two lesions. Level I evidence on the optimal regimens of cysticidal drugs for treatment of extraparenchymal NCC is lacking, although there is growing evidence supporting the use of cysticidal drugs in these cases, providing that hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension have previously been treated. EXPERT OPINION: With the exception of therapy of patients with viable parenchymal brain cysticerci, we are far from getting level I evidence on the best approach for each of the other forms of NCC, as most of our knowledge on therapy for extraparenchymal NCC is based on non-controlled studies or small series of patients.

Suprasellar Cysticercosis Cyst with Optic Nerve Compression Masquerading as an Arachnoid Cyst.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the cestode Taenia solium. Ocular parasitosis in humans is well recognized; however, cysticercosis of the optic nerve is rare. Here, we report a case of an adult male who presented with right-sided headache and a gradual loss of vision in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography indicated severe loss of ganglion cells in the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a predominantly suprasellar cystic lesion thought to represent an arachnoid cyst. We performed a craniotomy to excise the cyst. Histopathological examination of the excised cyst revealed internal living larvae of T. soilum. After co-administration of praziquantel and albendazole, vision was restored, and the headaches ceased. Vision has since been restored in both eyes. A higher degree of neurocysticercosis suspicion should be maintained for patients living in endemic areas who present with ophthalmic symptoms where the brain scans show cystic lesions.

Massive Taenia hydatigena Cysticercosis in a Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Italy.

PURPOSE: Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis, due to Cysticercus tenuicollis, is a parasitic disease infecting domestic and wild animals worldwide causing economic and productive losses. Nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the wild ungulates in the epidemiology of this disease. In the last years, the increasing population of wild boars in Europe has raised the attention of researchers on their role in the spreading of several infections, including those caused by cestodes. Herein, we report the description of a massive infection due to T. hydatigena cysticercosis in a wild boar from southern Italy. METHODS: An adult female boar was examined during the hunting season 2018 within the regional project "Piano Emergenza Cinghiali in Campania". A complete necropsy was performed on the boar carcass and all viscera were examined to determine number and location of the cysts. Morphological and molecular analyses of the cysts were performed to confirm the C. tenuicollis identity. RESULTS: The boar examined has revealed an impressive massive infection with 265 cysts. Measurements of the large and small larval hooks showed a mean of length as 200.3 µm and 136.8 µm, respectively. Molecular analysis of Cox1 and ND1 mitochondrial genes confirmed the C. tenuicollis identity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that wild boar could be involved in the epidemiology of T. hydatigena, due to the significant amount of boar raw offal available to definitive hosts (i.e., hunting dogs, foxes and wolves), during the hunting seasons.

Distribution of Taenia solium Diagnostic Glycoproteins in the Different Developmental Stages of the Parasite.

Taenia solium is a helminth parasite that causes 2 diseases in humans: cysticercosis and taeniasis. The establishment of T. solium metacestodes in the central nervous system causes neurocysticercosis, while development of the adult tapeworm in the small intestine causes taeniasis. Serological diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is performed by Western blot with an enriched fraction of glycoproteins that has been extensively used for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological surveys. The lectin-bound fraction that is used for this assay contains 7 antigenic glycoproteins. These antigenic proteins are considered to be highly specific for cysticercosis when tested with heterologous parasitic diseases. However, recent studies show that people with taeniasis have cross-reactive antibodies against the neurocysticercosis diagnostic glycoproteins and vice versa. Nevertheless, it is not known if these diagnostic proteins are expressed in the adult stage of the parasite. In this paper, we describe the location of 3 of these glycoproteins in T. solium adults and cysticerci using polyclonal antibodies raised against a synthetic peptide based on the amino acid sequence of TS14, a recombinant protein T24H, and the native GP50. The glycoproteins' distribution was different in invaginated and evaginated cysticerci as well as in adult tapeworms. Specifically, the 3 glycoproteins studied were differentially expressed during embryogenesis. Our findings indicate that expression of the diagnostic glycoproteins is developmentally regulated; this is noteworthy since these glycoproteins are considered specific for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis but nevertheless are present in different structures throughout the development of T. solium. Here we describe the glycoprotein expression and localization, which can be important in understanding their biological functions. In addition, our results help clarify the cross-reaction observed between people with neurocysticercosis and taeniasis to TS14, T24H, and GP50, which are used as diagnostic antigens for neurocysticercosis.

A comparison of Taenia solium and Taenia hydatigena infection in pigs using serological diagnosis and post-mortem inspection methods in Benoué division, North Cameroon.

The metacestodes of Taenia solium and Taenia hydatigena are the cause of cysticercosis in pigs. T. solium is also responsible of the taeniosis/neurocysticercosis complex in humans, constituting a main cause of epilepsy cases across endemic countries. T. hydatigena is non-zoonotic, but its occurrence in pigs contributes significantly to false positive reactions should genus-species serological methods be used for diagnosis of T. solium porcine cysticercosis. T. hydatigena is often considered not common in pigs in Africa compared to T. solium. On the basis of the evidence that these two cestodes coexist in Cameroon, we examined the viscera of 305 pigs for the identification of the metacestodes of T. hydatigena in Bénoué division, North Region of Cameroon. Tongue, masticatory muscles and heart were sliced for the identification of T. solium cysticerci (TMH dissection test). Twenty seven (8.85%) and 16 (5.24%) pigs were found infected with the metacestodes of T. solium and T. hydatigena, respectively. The difference between the two rates of infection was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Serum samples were also collected for the evaluation of an inhibition ELISA (i-ELISA) specific to antibodies anti- T. solium or anti-T. hydatigena cysticerci. After incubation of these sera with cyst fluid of T. solium, T. hydatigena, T. multiceps multiceps, T. multiceps gaigeri and T. saginata to eliminate cross-reactions among cestodes parasites, the i-ELISA indicated that 26.56% and 28.52% slaughtered pigs had predominant specific antibodies to cyst fluid of T. solium and T. hydatigena, respectively. Combination of TMH dissection test, i-ELISA and a standard indirect ELISA in a Bayesian simulation approach revealed a true prevalence of 19.27% (0.7-49.27, CI 95%) and 24.85% (5.17-48.34, CI 95%) of porcine cysticercosis due to T. solium and T. hydatigena, respectively. These results indicated that T. hydatigena is as prevalent as T. solium in pigs in the North of Cameroon.

Ineffectiveness of meat inspection in the detection of Taenia solium cysticerci in pigs slaughtered at two abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Porcine and human cysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of tapeworm Taenia solium, is a zoonosis in southern Africa and known to be endemic in South Africa, mainly in Eastern Cape Province. No efforts to control or eradicate this parasite have been made, despite the increasing occurrence in most Eastern Cape districts, except for routine meat inspection at local abattoirs. The parasite poses a potentially serious agricultural problem, public health risk and economic loss amongst Eastern Cape smallholder pig production communities. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of routine meat inspection for the detection of porcine cysticercosis in pigs from rural smallholder/subsistence production systems in Eastern Cape Province villages. The effectiveness of meat inspection, by registered meat inspectors, in the detection of pigs infected with T. solium cysts was assessed and compared with whole carcass dissection as the "gold standard" method. The commercial antigen enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (B158/B160 Ag-ELISA) kit screened all the slaughtered animals. The proportion of pigs found infected with T. solium cysts, as measured by meat inspection, was lower (5%, 9/180) than with carcass dissection (18.9%, 34/180) and B158/B60 Ag-ELISA test (21.6%, 38/176). Four out of 180 carcasses were heavily infested with T. solium cysts, evenly distributed throughout the carcasses, to a level impossible to enumerate. Of the remaining 176 carcasses, approximately 526 cysticerci, distributed at various anatomical regions of the pig, were counted during carcass dissection. Sites with higher cyst counts, such as the back and hind leg, do not form part of the normal meat inspection regime. The level of agreement (Kappa statistic) between dissection (gold standard) and meat inspection of the two districts was negative (-0.1955). There was a slight agreement in the Kappa statistic (0.0328) between dissection and B158/B60 Ag-ELISA. This study confirms that current meat inspection procedures alone are not sufficiently sensitive to detect all cases of porcine cysticercosis at the abattoirs and require modifications, or should be supplemented by other methods. A risk-based meat safety assurance system, such as HACCP, that considers specific food safety aspects before and after the abattoir (point of slaughter) should be followed. Before slaughter, aspects such as origin, husbandry practices and on-farm animal health control should be considered; after slaughter, the abattoir should inform the next entity in the supply chain of the limitations of meat inspections and the real meaning of an "Approval" stamp. New validated testing methods that can be routinely used should be developed, and government should develop policies and legislation that promotes a risk-based meat safety assurance system throughout the food supply chain.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cysticercus ovis from Egypt based on MT-CO1 gene sequences.

Cysticercus ovis or sheep measles is the larval stage of Taenia ovis, which is the intestinal tapeworm of dogs. It is found in the cardiac and skeletal muscles of sheep and can be the cause of partial or total condemnation of carcasses at abattoirs. The aim of the current work was to determine the prevalence of C. ovis among sheep in Upper Egypt and to present the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of this using the amplified Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 (MT-CO1) gene. A total of 1885 sheep slaughtered at local abattoirs of 4 different governorates of Upper Egypt (Asuit, Sohag, Qena and Aswan) were carefully examined for C. ovis. The overall prevalence of infection was 2.02%. The highest rate of infection was observed in adult animals over 4 years of age (44.73%). There was no significant effect of animal sex on infection rates. The phylogenic analysis of C. ovis Egyptian isolates showed very close similarity to the New Zealand isolate (AB731675). This is the first report showing the genetic analysis of C. ovis in Egypt, which provides a very powerful tool for taxonomy and definitive diagnosis of C. ovis, which could be helpful for preventive and control programs.

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) from Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Cysticercus tenuicollis, the metacestode stage of Taenia hydatigena has a worldwide distribution and is particularly common in rural areas and developing countries. In rare cases, T. hydatigena infection may result in the death of its host due to severe damage or secondary bacterial infections. Generally, when multiple cysts are attached to the liver, it causes economic losses. The infection can be detected using morphological, histopathological and more recently, molecular investigations. METHODS: In the present study, we describe molecular and morphological characterization of C. tenuicollis detected in a 3 month-old female red deer (Cervus elaphus) during necropsy. Cystic samples were stained with haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome stain for histopathological examination, and molecular characterization of the complete mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene region was performed. PURPOSE: This study provides the first morphological, histopathological, and molecular data on C. tenuicollis isolated from red deer in Turkey.

Cloning, expression, purification, and kinetic characterization of mitochondrial thioredoxin (TsTrx2), cytosolic thioredoxin (TsTrx1), and glutaredoxin (TsGrx1) from Taenia solium.

We report the complete coding sequences of mitochondrial thioredoxin (TsTrx2) and glutaredoxin (TsGrx1) from the cysticerci of T. solium. The full-length DNA of the TsTrx2 gene shows two introns of 88 and 77 bp and three exons. The TsTrx2 gene contains a single ORF of 423 bp, encoding 140 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular weight of 15,560 Da. A conserved C64NPC67 active site and a 30-amino acid extension at its N-terminus were identified. An insulin reduction reaction was used to determine whether it was a functional recombinant protein. The full-length DNA of the TsGrx1 gene shows one intron of 39 bp and a single ORF of 315 bp, encoding 105 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular weight of 12,582 Da. Sequence analysis revealed a conserved dithiol C34PYC37 active site, GSH-binding motifs (CXXC, Lys and Gln/Arg, TVP, and CXD), and a conserved Gly-Gly motif. The r-TsGrx1 kinetic constants for glutathione (GSH) and 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide (HED) were determined. In addition, cytosolic thioredoxin (TsTrx1), as reported by (Jiménez et al., Biomed Res Int 2015:453469, 2015), was cloned and expressed, and its catalytic constants were obtained along with those of the other two reductases. Rabbit-specific antibodies showed immune cross-reactions between TsTrx1 and TsTrx2 but not with TsGrx1. Both TsTGRs as reported by (Plancarte and Nava, Exp Parasitol 149:65-73, 2015) were biochemically purified to obtain and compare the catalytic constants for their natural substrates, r-TsTrx1, and r-TsTrx2, compared to those for Trx-S2E. coli. In addition, we determined the catalytic differences between the glutaredoxin activity of the TsTGRs compared with r-TsGrx1. These data increase the knowledge of the thioredoxin and GSH systems in T. solium, which is relevant for detoxification and immune evasion.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cysticercus ovis from Egypt based on MT-CO1 gene sequences / Análise filogenética molecular de Cysticercus ovis do Egito com base nas sequências do gene MT-CO1

Abstract Cysticercus ovis or sheep measles is the larval stage of Taenia ovis, which is the intestinal tapeworm of dogs. It is found in the cardiac and skeletal muscles of sheep and can be the cause of partial or total condemnation of carcasses at abattoirs. The aim of the current work was to determine the prevalence of C. ovis among sheep in Upper Egypt and to present the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of this using the amplified Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 (MT-CO1) gene. A total of 1885 sheep slaughtered at local abattoirs of 4 different governorates of Upper Egypt (Asuit, Sohag, Qena and Aswan) were carefully examined for C. ovis. The overall prevalence of infection was 2.02%. The highest rate of infection was observed in adult animals over 4 years of age (44.73%). There was no significant effect of animal sex on infection rates. The phylogenic analysis of C. ovis Egyptian isolates showed very close similarity to the New Zealand isolate (AB731675). This is the first report showing the genetic analysis of C. ovis in Egypt, which provides a very powerful tool for taxonomy and definitive diagnosis of C. ovis, which could be helpful for preventive and control programs.

Resumo Cysticercus ovis "sheep measles" é o estágio larval da Taenia ovis, encontrada nos músculos de carneiros, causado pela ingestão de ovos de Taenia ovis, parasita de cães. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a prevalência de C. ovis entre ovinos no Alto Egito e apresentar as análises moleculares e filogenéticas, utilizando o gene da subunidade mitocondrial citocromo-oxidase amplificada 1 (MT-CO1). Um total de 1885 ovinos abatidos em matadouros locais de 4 províncias diferentes do Alto Egito (Asuit, Sohag, Qena e Aswan) foram cuidadosamente examinados para C. ovis. A prevalência geral de infecção foi de 2,02%. A maior taxa de infecção foi observada em animais adultos com mais de 4 anos de idade (44,73%). Não houve efeito significativo do sexo nas taxas de infecção. A análise filogenética de isolados egípcios de C. ovis mostrou uma similaridade muito próxima ao isolado da Nova Zelândia (AB731675). Este é o primeiro relato mostrando a análise genética de C. ovis no Egito, fornecendo uma ferramenta para taxonomia e diagnóstico definitivo de C. ovis, podendo ser útil para programas preventivo e de controle.

A modified lateral flow assay, using serum, for the rapid identification of human and bovine cysticercosis in the absence of false positives.

Background: Previously we reported the use of a monoclonal antibody-based (HP10) antigen (Ag) detection lateral flow assay (LFA) for the diagnosis of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis (EP-NCC). The assay performed well when used with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples but not with their paired serum samples, due to false-positive reactions in some known negative control cases. Methods: Our novel modification involves pretreatment of serum samples using a combination of sodium deoxycholate and dithiothreitol. Results: The modification overcomes the problem of false positives when using negative serum samples from clinically characterized cases of EP-NCC and bovine cysticercosis. In general, there was good agreement between HP10 Ag enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the HP10 Ag-LFA, but the HP10 Ag-ELISA was marginally more sensitive than the modified HP10 Ag-LFA. Conclusions: The modified HP10 Ag-LFA provides a field test for the rapid identification of endemic human and bovine cysticercosis.

The epidemiology of Taenia spp. infection and Taenia solium cysticerci exposure in humans in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

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.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis (Taenia solium).

Neurocysticercosis accounts for approximately 30% of all epilepsy cases in most developing countries. The immunodiagnosis of cysticercosis is complex and strongly influenced by the course of infection, the disease burden, the cyst location, and the immune response of the host. The main approach to immunodiagnosis should thus be to evaluate whether the serological results are consistent with the diagnosis suggested by imaging. Antibody detection is performed using lentil lectin-purified parasite antigens in an enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot format, while antigen detection uses a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Promising new assay configurations have been developed for the detection of both antibody and antigen, including assays based on synthetic or recombinant antigens that may reduce costs and improve assay reproducibility and multiplex bead-based assays that may provide simultaneous quantitative results for several target antigens or antibodies.

TAENIA CRASSICEPS CYSTICERCOSIS IN A NILGIRI LANGUR ( SEMNOPITHECUS JOHNII).

A captive-born adult female Nilgiri langur ( Semnopithecus johnii) developed an edematous swelling of the left thigh and a firm mass around the right ankle joint. The animal also suffered from lethargy and anorexia and was euthanized because of poor general condition. Necropsy revealed that the skeletal muscle of the left thigh had been replaced by a multilocular cystic mass containing numerous sand-grain-sized whitish structures. Small cysts were also present in the lung and the myocardium. The mass of the right ankle joint was histologically consistent with a myxosarcoma. In contrast, the cystic masses from the left thigh, the lung, and the myocardium represented metacestode tissue with evidence of numerous larval cestodes consistent with cysticerci. Cysticerci showed morphological characteristics of Cysticercus longicollis, the larval form of Taenia crassiceps, which was confirmed by genetic analysis. This is the first documented case of a Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis in an Old World monkey species.

Barriers to Participation in a Community-Based Program to Control Transmission of Taenia solium in Peru.

Infection of the brain with Taenia solium larvae (neurocysticercosis) is a leading cause of preventable epilepsy worldwide. Effective and sustainable strategies to control parasite transmission in rural endemic communities are needed to prevent the disease. Surveillance and targeted intervention around infected pigs (ring control strategy) have been shown to be effective when carried out by research teams. However, this strategy has not been implemented or tested as a community-based program. In this small trial in northern Peru, eight villages were randomly assigned to community-led surveillance and treatment (five villages, 997 residents) or control (three villages, 1,192 residents). In intervention villages, community-led surveillance and reporting were promoted by community health workers, radio advertisement, and school and household education. Each suspected pig infection was verified, with confirmed cases resulting in treatment with niclosamide for taeniasis and oxfendazole for pigs in clusters of homes nearby. No incentives beyond human and pig treatment were offered. Control villages received basic disease education but no treatment intervention in response to reports. Despite 14 case reports, community-based replication of ring control strategy did not replicate prior results. After 12 months, there was no change in seroincidence in intervention villages between the baseline and study end, and no difference compared with control villages. There was no difference in prevalence of taeniasis or porcine cysticercosis at study end. Community members described lack of knowledge as the main reason for not reporting infected pigs. Further exploration of methods to transfer ring strategy and other control interventions for cysticercosis to the community is needed.

Genetic diversity of Taenia hydatigena in the northern part of the West Bank, Palestine as determined by mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Cysticercus tenuicollis is the metacestode of canine tapeworm Taenia hydatigena, which has been reported in domestic and wild ruminants and is causing veterinary and economic losses in the meat industry. This study was conducted to determine the sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxl) gene in 20 isolates of T. hydatigena metacestodes (cysticercus tenuicollis) collected from northern West Bank in Palestine. Nine haplotypes were detected, with one prevailing (55%). The total haplotype diversity (0.705) and the total nucleotide diversity (0.0045) displayed low genetic diversity among our isolates. Haplotype analysis showed a star-shaped network with a centrally positioned common haplotype. The Tajima's D, and Fu and Li's statistics in cysticercus tenuicollis population of this region showed a negative value, indicating deviations from neutrality and both suggested recent population expansion for the population. The findings of this study would greatly help to implement control and preventive measures for T. hydatigena larvae infection in Palestine.