Epidemiology of taeniasis and cysticercosis in a Peruvian village

F. Diaz, H. H. Garcia, R. H. Gilman, A. E. Gonzales, M. Castro, V. C.W. Tsang, J. B. Pilcher, L. E. Vasquez, M. Lescano, C. Carcamo, G. Madico, E. Miranda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of cysticercosis in a rural area where the disease is endemic, the authors studied the seroepidemiology of human and porcine cysticercosis in a Peruvian jungle community (Maceda, Peru) in 1988 using an enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay. Of the 371 sampled inhabitants, 30 (8%) were seropositive, most of whom were asymptomatic. After niclosamide therapy, four Taenia species worms were identified in the seropositive group, compared with one in the control group (p = 0.06). Pigs were frequently infected: 44 of 133 (33%) were found positive for Taenia by tongue examination and 57 of 133 (43%) were positive by EITB. In 69% of the sampled households that had pigs, there was at least one seropositive pig. The number of pigs diagnosed positive by the tongue examination was significantly greater in households that had latrines than in those that did not. Cysticercosis is a common but usually asymptomatic infection that affects both humans and pigs in the high jungle areas of Peru. Am J Epidemiol 1992;135:875-82.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)875-882
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican journal of epidemiology
Volume135
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 1992

Keywords

  • Cysticercosis
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Immunoblotting
  • Swine
  • Taenia
  • Toilet facilities
  • Transfer blot

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology

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