Detecting spatial clusters of Taenia solium infections in a rural block in South India

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major cause of seizures/epilepsy in countries endemic for the disease. The objectives of this study were to spatially map the burden of active epilepsy (AE), NCC, taeniasis, seroprevalence for cysticercal antibodies and positivity to circulating cysticercal antigens in Kaniyambadi block (approximately 100 villages comprising 100 000 population) of Vellore district and to detect spatial clusters of AE, NCC, taeniasis and seroprevalence. Using geographic information system (GIS) techniques, all 21 study villages with over 8000 houses (population of 38 105) were mapped. Clustering of different indices of Taenia solium infection was determined using a spatial scan statistic (SaTScan). There was a primary spatial cluster of AE with a log likelihood ratio (LLR) of 10.8 and relative risk (RR) of 22.4; however, no significant clustering for NCC was detected. Five significant spatial clusters of seropositivity for cysticercal antibodies, two clusters of seropositivity for cysticercal antigens and one for taeniasis were detected (LLR of 8.35 and RR of 36.67). Our study has demonstrated the use of GIS methods in mapping and identifying 'hot spots' of various indices of T. solium infection in humans. This spatial analysis has identified pockets with high transmission rates so that preventive measures could be focused on an intensive scale.

Geospatial and age-related patterns of Taenia solium taeniasis in the rural health zone of Kimpese, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…As in a number of other studies, geo-spatial analysis conducted in our study revealed significant clustering of taeniasis (Mwape et al, 2012, Raghava et al, 2010, Rodriguez-Canul et al, 1999) and porcine cysticercosis (Diaz et al, 1992, Mwape et al, 2012, Ngowi et al, 2010, Widdowson et al, 2000). This is indicative of the spatial heterogeneity of T. solium infections in endemic areas.…”

Spatial relationship between Taenia solium tapeworm carriers and necropsy cyst burden in pigs

“…solium parasite varies considerably by location, as significant variations in prevalence have been observed both at a regional scale [3–6], and among households within a community [7,8]. Detecting these spatial patterns of T .…”

Assessing the burden of human cysticercosis in Vietnam

“…Recently, a systematic review estimated a proportion of 29.0% of NCC among people with epilepsy living in T. solium endemic areas (Ndimubanzi et al 2010). Asia-specific estimates are scarce, but studies in India estimate a proportion ranging from 18.0% to 38.6% of NCC-associated epilepsy (Rajshekhar et al 2006;Ndimubanzi et al 2010;Raghava et al 2010;Goel et al 2011;Raina et al 2012;Singh et al 2012). Asian estimates of the proportion of NCC-associated headaches are inexistent.…”