A cross-sectional study of Taenia solium in a multiple taeniid-endemic region reveals competition may be protective

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Aug;87(2):281-91. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0106.

Abstract

We conducted cross-sectional surveys for taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans, pigs, and dogs in four northern provinces of Laos. Human cysticercosis and taeniasis prevalence was 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-3.0%) and 8.4% (95% CI = 6.9-9.9%), respectively. Eating uncooked beef, being male, province of residence, age, and ethnicity were significant risk factors for taeniasis and only province of residence was a significant risk factor for cystiercosis. Thirty-five human tapeworms were recovered during the survey and 33 (94.3%) and 2 (5.7%) were identified as Taenia saginata and T. solium, respectively. Maximum-likelihood adjusted prevalence of T. solium and T. hydatigena in pigs was 4.2% (95% CI = 0.5-7.9%) and 55.9% (95% CI = 47.5-64.3%), respectively, and T. hydatigena taeniasis in dogs was 4.8% (95% CI = 0.0-11.3%). Taenia hydatigena and T. saginata were the most prevalent taeniids in the respective pig and human populations and together may suppress T. solium transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / blood
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cysticercosis / epidemiology
  • Cysticercosis / parasitology*
  • DNA, Helminth / chemistry
  • DNA, Helminth / genetics
  • Dogs
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laos / epidemiology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Swine
  • Taenia solium / genetics
  • Taenia solium / isolation & purification*
  • Young Adult
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / parasitology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • DNA, Helminth