PersistentTaenia soliumCysticercosis In the State of Morelos, Mexico: Human and Porcine Seroprevalence

Abstract

Serological tests are needed to estimate the prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in endemic rural areas. The predictive value of serum antibody levels to diagnose porcine cysticercosis and human neurocysticercosis (NC) was herein assessed by ELISA using serum samples from 247 backyard pigs (141 without cysticercosis and 106 with cysticercosis) and 183 human subjects (116 non-NC subjects and 67 NC patients) in central Mexico diagnosed by necropsy and computed tomography, respectively. A sensitivity of 77.3 and 92.5% and a specificity of 88.6 and 100% were found to diagnose porcine and human cysticercosis, respectively. The prevalence of porcine and human cysticercosis in the state of Morelos was estimated by ELISA. Anti-cysticercal antibodies were found in 8.4 and 19.02% of assayed sera from 1,811 humans and 804 pigs, respectively. Marginalization and living in the eastern region were risk factors for humans, whereas free-roaming, medium marginalization levels and living in Sierra de Huautla were risk factors for pigs. These results clearly evidence the persistence of cysticercosis transmission and neurocysticercosis in a region neighboring Mexico City, pointing out the need to apply effective measures already available for its control.

Taenia solium: Socioeconomic changes and prevalence evolution in four endemic communities in northwestern Mexico

“…In the study reported here, we did not use molecular techniques because we did not recover eggs or proglottids. (Morales et al, 2018). Our data suggest that socioeconomic improvement is one key factor that must be considered for controlling Taenia transmission.…”

“…Unexpectedly, each State's HDI reported in 2000 were 0.719, 0.749 and 0.789, respectively. Moreover, recently in Morelos, 8.4% of 1811 human and 19.02% of 804 porcine serum samples were positive for anti‐cysticercus antibodies (Morales et al, 2018). Our data suggest that socioeconomic improvement is one key factor that must be considered for controlling Taenia transmission.…”

Mobility and feeding habits of semi-confined domestic pig groups in a rural locality endemic to cysticercosis

“…The test showed a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 88.6%. A cross reaction with Echinococcus granulosus has been detected, this parasite has not been diagnosed in local pigs (Morales et al, 2018).…”

“…When pig owners allowed it, 10 ml of blood was obtained from each animal (141 pigs in the dry season and 116 pigs in the rainy season) to diagnose porcine cysticercosis using an ELISA protocol with T. solium cyst fluid as an antigen source, following a previously described procedure (Morales et al, 2018), with minor modifications. The test showed a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 88.6%.…”