Taenia multiceps coenurosis: a review

Abstract

Taenia multiceps is a taeniid cestode that inhabits the small intestines of both wild and domestic carnivores. The larval stage, Coenurus cerebralis, is typically found in the central nervous system (CNS) of a wide range of livestock and, to a lesser extent, in the extra-cerebral tissues of sheep and goats. This review covers all aspects of the life cycle of T. multiceps and its epidemiology, molecular characterization, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, control and zoonotic potential. Coenurosis caused by the larval stage of T. multiceps has a worldwide distribution and is often fatal in intermediate hosts, which can result in substantial economic losses in livestock farming. Molecular characterization using the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 of different T. multiceps populations has revealed significant genetic variation and the presence of three major haplotypes. The disease mostly affects young sheep and is referred to as either acute or chronic coenurosis. Acute coenurosis occurs as a result of oncospheres migrating through the CNS, while chronic coenurosis occurs as a consequence of the coenurus maturing, which causes displacement and pressure atrophy of brain tissue. Non-cerebral coenurosis has been most commonly reported in goats. The best diagnostic method for cerebral coenurosis involves the interpretation of clinical signs with accurate localization of the cyst using diagnostic imaging techniques. A vaccine based on recombinant oncosphere antigens has proved to be an effective tool against T. multiceps infection in sheep. Additionally, use of anthelmintics during the parasite’s migration stages reduces the development of cysts in the sheep brain. Surgery is considered the most effective method for the treatment of cerebral coenurosis in small ruminants, but is often not carried out because of the limited finances of many sheep and goat breeders. However, coenurosis can also be controlled effectively through preventative measures, such as anthelmintic treatment of dogs and the proper disposal of intermediate host carcasses. The parasite is also zoonotic, and cases of coenurosis have been reported in humans with coenuri located in the brain, spinal cord and eyes. Graphical abstract

Immune Cell Reaction Associated with Coenurus cerebralis Infection in Sheep with Particular Reference to ELISA as a Diagnostic Tool

“…A sagittal cut of every suspected sheep head was established to detect C. cerebralis in their brains. All of the harvested cysts were processed according to Attia et al [ 25 ] and Varcasia et al [ 26 ].…”

Improved Dot-ELISA Assay Using Purified Sheep Coenurus cerebralis Antigenic Fractions for the Diagnosis of Zoonotic Coenurosis

“…Then, most of the parasites migrate through the blood to the CNS subcutaneously, forming cysts commonly detected in the brain, cerebellum, and subarachnoid spaces (Lescano and Zunt, 2013). Acute or chronic nervous manifestations (headaches, vomiting, ataxia, blindness, and papilloedema) due to intracranial pressure led to death in some cases (Varcasia et al, 2022). These symptoms have been detected in some cases in Egypt described by Antonios and Mina (2000), who found patients infected with C. cerebralis.…”

“…Clinicians face significant issues when dealing with neurological cases for several reasons, including parasites, which can infect the central nervous system (CNS). Unspecific clinical features associated with the absence of specific diagnostic methods have exaggerated the problem (Varcasia et al, 2022;Yamazawa, 2020). One of these issues is coenurosis, a worldwide zoonotic parasitic infection with the larval stage (Coenurus) of Taenia multiceps, T. serialis, and T. brauni that occurs mainly in sheep, goats, horses, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, rodents, rabbits, and humans that act as intermediate hosts (IMH) for the adult worms which develop in the small intestine of some canines, causing taeniasis (Lotfy, 2020).…”

Global epidemiology and molecular biology of Taenia multiceps: a comparative meta-analysis and in silico analysis study

“…human) can serve as intermediate hosts and carry the larval stage ‘coenuri’ (Bondareva, 1963; Abuladze, 1964). The dog–sheep/goat cycles appear to be the most important transmission dynamics (Varcasia et al , 2022). Stray and shepherd dogs as well as wild canids can acquire T. multiceps after feeding on the coenuri in dead sheep carcasses left on pasture of offal of slaughtered sheep on farms (Vasileiou et al ., 2015; Al-Riyami et al ., 2016).…”

“…The oncospheres that reach the central nervous system (CNS) (1–3 weeks post infection) can continue development (Oryan et al , 2014). Around 6–8 months later, fully grown fluid-filled coenuri are formed (Varcasia et al , 2022). The coenuri can also be developed, particularly in goats, outside the CNS in various locations including intramuscular fascia, subcutaneous tissues, peritoneal cavity and various organs (Oryan et al , 2014).…”