Diagnostic and control tools and strategies for Taenia solium cysticercosis
A zoonotic tapeworm Taenia solium transmitted among humans and between humans and pigs causes cysticercosis. Humans acquire taeniosis (tapeworm infection) when they eat raw or undercooked pork meat contaminated with cysticerci, the larval from of T. solium. When ingested, the cysticerci establish in the intestine of humans, become adult tapeworms and shed eggs in human feces that can infect in turn other humans and pigs by direct contact or by indirect contamination of water or food.
The aim of this project is to make available and promote appropriate diagnostic and control tools and strategies for T. solium cysticercosis/taeniosis including the use of a user friendly “pen-side” diagnostic test, a vaccine and other options for control and prevention in targeted countries of East and Central Africa.
This projects seeks to address four major obstacles for prevention and control of Taenia solium cysticercosis, i.e. a) characterizing the disease and its risk factors including pig production and marketing, pork inspection and control practices; b) increasing capacity for ‘pen-side’ diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis; c) test prevention and control strategies including the use of T. solium vaccine; and d) enhanced availability of information and promotion of control options among relevant stakeholders and strengthen national capacity for surveillance, prevention and control.
Objectives
1. To determine the risk factors of Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniosis.
2. To develop and evaluate a pen-side diagnostic test for T. solium cysticercosis in pigs.
3. To strengthen the capacity for surveillance, prevention and control of T. solium cysticercosis in pigs.
Expected outputs
1. User-friendly diagnostic test for T. solium cysticercosis in pigs developed and promoted.
2. Options for control of T. solium cysticercosis identified and promoted.
3. National capacity for surveillance, prevention and control of T. solium cysticercosis strengthened.
4. Availability of information of T. solium cysticercosis enhanced.
