Human taeniasis - cattle and swine cysticercosis complex. I - Human taeniasis

Abstract

A global approach of the Human Taeniasis-Cysticercosis Complex must take into account the natural history of a biological agent that requires the interactive relationship with two vertebrate species for its persistence, one of them being necessarily the human species. In fact, man is the obligatory host of both Taenia solium and Taenia saginata adult stages, while pig and cattle are the larval stage natural hosts (Cysticerclls cellulosae and Cysticercus bovis respectively). The human taeniasis disease process is presented in the first part of this review, emphasizing some relevant aspects such as man's importance as the only natural host able to harbor both T. solium and T. saginata adult form and his role in the cysticercosis transmission mechanism; the human infestation mechanism by eating viable cysticerci with raw and/or undercooked meat; the role of animal species as taeniasis source of infection; the mild pathology (lesions and symptom ) stressing the importance of the patient's observation of faeces as to the presence of proglottis; the significance of identifying the taenia species when the patient is treated, as well as the importance of global preventive actions in disrupting the epidemiological chain of this agent in different critical points.