The Complex Human Taeniasis-Cysticercosis

Abstract

This paper aims at reviewing the taeniasis-cysticercosis complexdisease. It is a disease that represents a serious public health problem, thus becoming one of the most important zoonotic diseases. The complex comprises two distinct diseases, with totally different  symptoms and epidemiology: taeniasis that corresponds to the final stage of the parasite cycle and occurs only in humans and cysticercosis that is the larval stage of Taenia saginata, which is a cattle parasite, and also Taenia solium, which can also affect pigs and humans. Cysticercosis and taeniasis are found more frequently in countries whose populations have poor hygiene and poor sanitation. The taeniasis-cysticercosis complex is formed by Taenia solium and Taenia saginata of Cestoda class, Cyclophillidea order, family and gender Taenidae Taenia and their larval forms, Cysticercus cellulosae and Cysticercus bovis. Taeniasis, in its clinical symptoms, is highly variable, according to the age and health status of the host. Under natural conditions, animals affected by cysticercosis do not show any clinical signs. On the other hand, human cysticercosis may vary depending on the location of cysticerci. When located in the central nervous system (neurocysticercosis) clinical signs can vary depending on the number of cysticerci, their development stage, morphological variety, its location and the immune response they might cause in the patient. The control of taeniasis-cysticercosis depends on the economic, social and cultural needs of each region.