Differentiating Taenia solium and Taenia saginata Infections by Simple Hematoxylin-Eosin Staining and PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis

Abstract

Species-specific identification of human tapeworm infections is important for public health purposes, because prompt identification of Taenia solium carriers may prevent further human cysticercosis infections (a major cause of acquired epilepsy). Two practical methods for the differentiation of cestode proglottids, (i) routine embedding, sectioning, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and (ii) PCR with restriction enzyme analysis (PCR-REA), were tested on samples from 40 individuals infected with T. solium ( n = 34) or Taenia saginata ( n = 6). Microscopic examination of HE staining of sections from 24 cases, in which conserved proglottids were recovered, clearly revealed differences in the number of uterine branches. Distinct restriction patterns for T. solium and T. saginata were observed when the PCR products containing the ribosomal 5.8S gene plus internal transcribed spacer regions were digested with either Alu I, Dde I, or Mbo I. Both HE histology and PCR-REA are useful techniques for differentiating T. solium from T. saginata . Importantly, both techniques can be used in zones of endemicity. HE histology is inexpensive and is currently available in most regions of endemicity, and PCR-REA can be performed in most hospital centers already performing PCR without additional equipment or the use of radioactive material.

Molecular Identification and Appraisal of the Genetic Variation of Taenia saginata in Central Regions of Vietnam

“…specimens, based only on morphological characteristics, is very difficult to be performed, especially when it is necessary to differentiate between T. saginata and T. asiatica. Indeed, the main morphological feature taken into account to distinguish between Taenia species is the proglottids, and the aforementioned species are closely related due to the similarity of their proglottids [31][32][33][34][35]. Therefore, the use of the mitochondrial COI gene in this study allowed an accurate taxonomic identification of Taenia sp.…”

Cytomorphological spectrum of cysticercosis: A study of 26 cases

“…It is difficult to differentiate these two species on cytology but the presence of hooklets favours T. solium . Correct identification of the parasite is important because T. saginata is relatively innocuous, since only the intestinal tapeworm phase occurs in man, whereas infection with T. solium has major health effects due to disseminated cutaneous infection and neurocysticercosis 18 …”

“…Correct identification of the parasite is important because T. saginata is relatively innocuous, since only the intestinal tapeworm phase occurs in man, whereas infection with T. solium has major health effects due to disseminated cutaneous infection and neurocysticercosis. 18 The differential diagnosis of hydatid cyst caused by a species of echinococcus must be considered whenever hooklets are encountered in aspirates from subcutaneous nodules. The shape and size of the hooklet plays a significant role in distinguishing between cysticercosis and hydatid cyst on FNAC.…”

HA-Modified R8-Based Bola-Amphiphile Nanocomplexes for Effective Improvement of siRNA Delivery Efficiency

“…After in vivo antitumor experiment, the isolated tumor tissue was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin to prepare sections with 5 μm thickness. H&E staining was then performed according to the standard instructions …”