A retrospective study of Taenia spp. in Cuban patients: what does molecular analysis tell us?

Taeniosis is a neglected disease, particularly in developing countries, and is caused by infection with the adult tapeworm of either Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, and Taenia asiatica. Of these, T. solium is of primary concern due to the potential for cysticercosis should T. solium eggs be ingested. In Cuba, all cases of taeniosis are assumed to be caused by T. saginata, although some cases of cysticercosis have been documented. It is therefore important to gain further insights regarding the species causing taeniosis in Cuba, especially as diagnostic records indicate an increasing incidence, with the highest number of cases reported in 2020. In this study, we analysed 37 Taenia-positive faecal samples (or proglottids isolated from faecal samples) from the period 2001 until 2020 from all regions of the country. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples, which had been stored in 10% formalin, using the QIAamp Tissue Kit. Species identification was carried out by duplex real-time PCR targeting the mitochondrial DNA. All cases were found to be T. saginata, and sequence analysis of three isolates confirmed the identification of this species. Our data do not provide any evidence that T. solium currently occurs in Cuba. However, given the relatively low number of samples analysed here, that the parasite may be imported with visitors or travellers who have been in endemic countries, and that taeniosis has relatively mild symptoms and thus infected patients may not seek medical attention, we recommend species determination for all taeniosis cases reported in Cuba.

Intervención educativa al personal médico y paramédico sobre Inermicapsifer madagascariensis / Educational intervention to medical and paramedical personnel on Inermicapsifer madagascariensis

Se realiza una intervención educativa en el personal de salud de la provincia Guantánamo durante el mes de septiembre de 2013, con el objetivo de capacitar sobre aspectos esenciales del diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de la helmintiasis por Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. El universo de estudio estuvo formado por 10 tecnólogos de laboratorio, seis técnicos, ocho MGI y un decidor a los que se les aplicó una encuesta para determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. Se obtuvo que existía desconocimiento sobre el diagnóstico clínico-epidemiológico y de laboratorio. Se diseña e imparte un curso de posgrado y un plegable para elevar el nivel de conocimiento de esta parasitosis(AU)

An educational intervention is done in health personnel of this province during the month of September 2013, with the objective of training on key aspects of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of helminth Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. The study group consisted of 10 laboratory technologists, 6 technicians, 8 MGI and decidor those who were given a survey to determine the level of knowledge about Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. It was found that there was lack of knowledge about the clinical-epidemiological and laboratory diagnosis. It is designed and is received a graduate course and a folding to raise awareness of this parasitosis(AU)

Diagnóstico de Inermicapsifer madagascariensis en provincia Guantánamo / Diagnosis of Inermicapsifer madagascariensis in Guantanamo province

Se realiza una investigación en el Laboratorio de Microbiología del Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología con el objetivo de realizar el diagnóstico del Inermicapsifer madagascariensis en la provincia de Guantánamo en el período enero de 2010 a marzo de 2014. El universo de estudio está formado por 4 niños menores de 3 años. Las variables estudiadas son: grupo etario, sexo, condiciones de la vivienda, convivencia con animales y manifestaciones clínicas. Entre sus principales resultados se evidenció predominio de la raza blanca, convivencia en área rural, malas condiciones higiénico-sanitarias Se concluye que es una parasitosis poco frecuente por el desconocimiento en su diagnóstico clínico-epidemiológico y de laboratorio(AU)

An investigation is performed in the Laboratory of Microbiology hygiene at Provincial Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in order to diagnose the Inermicapsifer madagascariensis in Guantanamo province from January 2010 to March 2014. The studied group is presented by for 4 children under 3 years. The variables studied were the following: age group, gender, housing conditions, living with animals and clinical manifestations. Among its main results: the white race, living in rural areas, poor sanitary-hygienic conditions .As a conclusion, it is a rare desease with unknown diagnosis in the clinical-epidemiological lab(AU)

Inermicapsifer madagascariensis: presentación de tres casos / Inermicapsifer madagascariensis: report of three cases

Se diagnostican tres pacientes menores de 5 años con Inermecapsifer Madagascariensis en el Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología de Guantánamo. Su forma más común de presentación esla expulsión de fragmentos parecidos a granos de arroz en las hecesfecales. Se realizan exámenes microscópicos con el fin de diferenciar si se trataba de un grano de arroz o proglótides grávidos, comprimiéndolos entre láminas cubre y portaobjetos dejando salir un gran número de cápsulas oviferas que confirman su diagnóstico. Estas muestras se envían al laboratorio nacional de referencia Instituto Pedro Kourí que confirmó el diagnóstico (AU)