Overview of Taenia solium cysticercosis in West Africa

Abstract

Human and porcine cysticercosis is endemic in West Africa, where epilepsy is relatively common, but rarely reported due to fear of stigmatization. Neurocysticercosis, caused by Taenia solium, tends to affect the poor in developing countries and control is hampered by inadequate infrastructure and financial resources coupled with lack of adequate information about its significance and distribution. The risk factors for human cysticercosis are closely associated with the characteristics of smallholder or backyard pig farming systems prevalent in this region. Poverty, ignorance and lack of political will militate against successful eradication, while tools for effective diagnosis, prevention and treatment, including vaccines for pigs, are not yet available in many countries. Cysticercosis was targeted for control by The World Health Organization global plan for 2008-2015; however, measures for control are yet to be undertaken in a coordinated manner in West Africa. Diagnostic tools, including neuroimaging facilities, should be strategically situated and made accessible to rural populations in West Africa. Community education in combination with a multipronged approach consisting of vaccination of pigs using TSOL18 vaccine and treatment with oxfendazole along with mass chemotherapy of humans with praziquantel could eliminate taeniasis and should be considered in the region. Indepth and extensive epidemiological studies are required in the region in order to fully elucidate the prevalence of T. solium and to support more coordinated and effective control of human and porcine cysticercosis.

Prevalence and factors associated with human Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in twelve remote villages of Ranomafana rainforest, Madagascar

“…The presence of circulating antigens asserting an active cysticercosis case with viable cysts was observed at a prevalence of 12.4%. This prevalence is relatively high compared to those obtained in the following African countries (Cameroon, Zambia, Kenya, Burkina-Faso, Togo, and Senegal: 0.7% to 8.1%) [ 12 – 14 , 16 , 58 ] but extensively low compared to those found in Tanzania, Congo, and Togo (16.8% à 38%) [ 12 , 13 ]. However this positivity is similar to the prevalence of circulating Taenia antigens detected in Zambia, 12.5%[ 71 ].…”

“…The prevalence of taeniosis found in this study are quite similar to those previously described (0.1%–1.4%) in many African countries (Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Togo, Zambia, Cameroon, Kenya and Tanzania) and in some endemic countries of Latin America (Peru and Ecuador) using comparable coprological examination. Conversely these prevalence rates could be low compared to those reported in other African countries (Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana, and Gambia: up to 13%) [ 12 , 14 , 15 , 54 ] and those obtained using more sensitive diagnostic tools such as coproantigen ELISA and EITB methods (Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo: up to 23.4% [ 58 – 61 ].…”

“…A few community-based studies were carried out in Africa to estimate the prevalence of T . solium infections using different diagnostic tools [ 12 – 14 ]. Human cysticercosis prevalence varied greatly across African countries, 0.68% to 21.63% of analyzed samples were found positive for circulating antigens while the seropositivity associated with T .…”

Cerebral Cysticercosis Presenting With Recurrent Epileptic Seizures

“…Cysticercosis, a type of tissue infection caused by the young form of the tapeworm, is the most common parasitic disease of the nervous system in humans [1]. Infected patients might show little or no clinical symptoms for years.…”

Taenia soliumCysticercosis in Pigs and Human: A Review of Epidemiological Data in West Africa (1990–2019)

“…Neurocysticercosis creates a tremendous economic burden in endemic areas incurring significant costs due to diagnosis, treatment and disability [17]. Poor sanitary conditions, traditional pig farming, lack of awareness of the disease and poverty play an important role in the perpetuation of the Taenia solium/cysticercosis, and are present in West Africa [18]. Research in the region on Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniasis in both human and pigs has been limited.…”