Protecting Livestock. Improving Human Lives

Potential Elimination of Active Taenia solium Transmission in Africa

Author: Sarah Gabriël, Kabemba E. Mwape, Emma C. Hobbs, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Inge Van Damme, Gideon Zulu, Chembensofu Mwelwa, Moses Mambwe, Tine De Coster, Isaac K. Phiri, Dirk L. Berkvens, Angie Colston, Emmanuel Bottieau, Niko Speybroeck, Jennifer K. Ketzis, Chiara Trevisan

Year: 2020

About this Publication:

Taeniasis and cysticercosis due to Taenia solium are major foodborne parasitic zoonoses that severely affect public health, social, and economic sectors, with the burden of neurocysticercosis estimated at 2,788,426 disability-adjusted life-years.A study involving an integrated intervention program in humans and pigs showed elimination of transmission of T. solium in Peru. This study provided important proof of concept; however, similar studies of T. solium elimination have not been completed in sub-Saharan Africa, where the prevalence of this infection and the level of poverty are higher than in Peru. We conducted the CYSTISTOP study (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02612896. opens in new tab), which involved a 2-year integrated intervention in humans and pigs in eastern Zambia, where taeniasis and cysticercosis are hyperendemic, to evaluate the feasibility of eliminating T. solium in sub-Saharan Africa.

Grant: PLSHL2

Subject Areas: Research and Development

Diseases: Porcine Cysticercosis

URL https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1909955

Keywords:

Africa, Porcine Cysticercosis, Taenia solium

Countries:

Zambia

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