Human and porcineTaenia soliuminfections in Mozambique: identifying research priorities

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to critically review and summarize available scientific and lay literature, and ongoing studies on human and porcine cysticercosis in Mozambique to identify knowledge gaps and direct immediate and long-term research efforts. Data on the spatial distribution and prevalence of the disease in human and swine populations are scarce and fragmented. Human serological studies have shown that 15-21% of apparently healthy adults were positive for cysticercosis antibodies or antigen, while in neuropsychiatric patients seroprevalence was as high as 51%. Slaughterhouse records indicate a countrywide occurrence of porcine cysticercosis, while studies have shown that 10-35% of pigs tested were seropositive for cysticercosis antibodies or antigen. Current research in Mozambique includes studies on the epidemiology, molecular biology, diagnosis and control of the disease. Future research efforts should be directed at better understanding the epidemiology of the disease in Mozambique, particularly risk factors for its occurrence and spread in human and swine populations, documenting the socio-economic impact of the disease, identifying critical control points and evaluating the feasibility and epidemiological impact of control measures and development of local level diagnostic tools for use in humans and swine.

A Cross-sectional Serological Study of Cysticercosis, Schistosomiasis, Toxocariasis and Echinococcosis in HIV-1 Infected People in Beira, Mozambique

“…Previous studies in Mozambique showed that in apparently healthy people cysticercosis seroprevalences were much higher than we have determined in this study [2].…”

“…Previous studies of abattoir records indicate the presence of porcine cysticercosis in all provinces of Mozambique [2].…”

“…Previous serological studies in Mozambique showed that 15 to 21% of apparently healthy adults were positive for cysticercosis, while in neuropsychiatric patients seroprevalence was as high as 51%, [2]. In a study conducted in Angónia District, to evaluate the association between epilepsy and NCC, of 2,023 individuals screened with a T. solium cysticercosis antigen ELISA, 15% were positive.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Porcine Cysticercosis in Angónia District, Mozambique

“…The district was selected following an initial survey conducted by Afonso and others [15], which indicated the presence of free-roaming pigs in the area. Agriculture is the most important economic activity.…”

Serodiagnosis of human neurocysticercosis using antigenic components of Taenia solium metacestodes derived from the unbound fraction from jacalin affinity chromatography

“…NCC is commonly associated with seizures, headaches and focal neurological deficits and can have such sequelae as epilepsy, hydrocephalus and dementia (Agapejev 2011, Carabin et al 2011). This disease is distributed globally, particularly in Central and South America, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, Eastern Europe and other developing countries (Garcia et al 2010, Afonso et al 2011, Prasad et al 2011, Yanagida et al 2012.…”