Human taeniasis - cattle and swine cysticercosis complex II - Cattle and swine cysticercosis

Abstract

Cysticercosis has been included among the most important known zoonosis, not only because it causes damages to animals' health and consequent economic losses but also due to the severity of the disease in the human population. It is caused by the larval stage (metacestodes) of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata.Based on the interactive relationship existing among the adult and larval stages of these parasites and their hosts, this paper reviews the natural history and prevention of the disease. The subject is approached so as to include the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex transmission mechanisms both from animals to man (taeniasis), as presented in a previous article, and from man to animals (cysticercosis). Several aspects are emphasized: a) the role of cysticercosis carriers on the transmission of human taeniasis; b) the meaning of the silent course of the disease and of the nonspecific clinical manifestations; c) the importance of an epidemiological surveillance system to identify the risk groups and to establish preventive interventions; d) the direct preventive actions. These preventive actions are based on 1) the diagnosis and treatment of taenias is carriers, as supported by veterinary inspection detecting cysticercosis in the slaughter house, associating the cases with the of the affected animals herds and notification to health authorities; 2) environment sanitation related to adequate disposal and treatment of human faeces; 3) non-specific protection of susceptible individuals by sanitary management practices in animal populations and personal and food hygiene in human populations; 4) involvement of the communities in relation to individual procedures and prevention practices.