Taenia solium cysticercosis in West Africa: status update

Abstract

Cysticercosis is caused by the larvae of the cestode Taenia solium. Few data are available on the prevalence of this disease in pigs and humans in West African countries. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of existing data concerning the spread of this parasitosis in the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the basis of the literature published over the last five decades. Systematic searches for publications were carried out on PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as in certain regional and local journals. From a total of 501 articles initially retrieved concerning T. solium cysticercosis in West African countries, only 120 articles were relevant for this review and therefore finally retained. For pigs, only eight out of sixteen countries of the region have reported porcine cysticercosis. Post-mortem examination of carcasses at slaughterhouses, meat inspection at butcheries or tongue inspection in herds have been the main source of data, but may not entirely reflect actual parasite distribution. For humans, only five out of sixteen countries reported epidemiological data on neurocysticercosis. Most data referred to neurocysticercosis prevalence among epileptic patients or isolated clinical cases. Furthermore, existing data are often old. Overall, T. solium cysticercosis remains largely neglected in West Africa, and its prevalence appears not to be affected by any religion in particular. There is an urgent need to promote and implement health partnerships and programs on this disease in order to collect more data and identify sensitive populations in the countries of the ECOWAS area.

Cortical Blindness due to neurocysticercosis in an adolescent patient

“…The presence of eggs causes localized edema in the affected part of the brain, which can manifest as different neurological symptoms/de cits. NCC is prevalent in Africa; it raises concerns about public health and economic livelihoods as it causes morbidity and mortality on the continent [3]. The climate also contributes to parasite transmission in Africa.…”

“…Africa's climate zones are divided into the arid zone (north of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger), semi-arid zone (Southern Senegambia, Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria), and sub-humid zone (north of Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Benin, and central parts of Nigeria). These regions have a high level of heterogeneity, which in uences the transmission of cysticercosis; thus, there is a high need for more studies on the high prevalence rates of NCC in these regions [3].…”

Seroprevalence of Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis among Humans and Pigs in Ghana

“…Pork consumption has been recorded as a risk factor for Taenia solium and Trichinella infections [2]. Data on the prevalence of porcine Taenia solium are extremely scarce, unreliable, or underestimated in West Africa [5,6]. Melki et al [6] further argued that the available statistics are typically based on data obtained from "official" abattoirs and slaughterhouses, but in most countries in the developing world, majority of pigs are not slaughtered within approved slaughterhouses but often clandestinely without veterinary supervision.…”

“…Data on the prevalence of porcine Taenia solium are extremely scarce, unreliable, or underestimated in West Africa [5,6]. Melki et al [6] further argued that the available statistics are typically based on data obtained from "official" abattoirs and slaughterhouses, but in most countries in the developing world, majority of pigs are not slaughtered within approved slaughterhouses but often clandestinely without veterinary supervision. Coupled with that, the massive use of the extensive form of pig farming increases the exposure of pigs to contracting viable Taenia solium eggs [4,7].…”

Seroprevalence of Cysticercosis among Epileptic Patients Attending Neurological Units in the Urban Area of Abidjan

“…In Côte d’Ivoire, the data available on cysticercosis are out of date and inconsistent [ 6 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. This first report addresses cysticercosis in an urban setting.…”