The epidemiology of humanTaenia soliuminfections: a systematic review of the distribution in Eastern and Southern Africa
Authors: Zulu Gideon , Stelzle Dominik , Mwape Kabemba E. , Welte Tamara M. , Strømme Hilde , Mubanga Chishimba , Mutale Wilbroad , Abraham Annette , Hachangu Alex , Schmidt Veronika , Sikasunge Chummy. S. , Phiri Isaac. K. , Winkler Andrea S. 
Published: December 2022

Background

Taenia soliumis a tapeworm that causes taeniosis in humans and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. Within Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), there are many countries in which information on the presence of human taeniosis and cysticercosis is missing. This systematic review aimed to describe the current information available and gaps in the epidemiology of humanT. soliuminfections in ESA.

Methods/Principle Findings

Scientific literature published between 1stJanuary 2000 and 20thJune 2022 in international databases [MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Global Health (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), African Index Medicus (via WHO Global Index Medicus), and Open Grey] was systematically reviewed for ESA following the PRISMA approach. The study area included 27 countries that make up the ESA region. Information on either taeniosis, cysticercosis or NCC was available for 16 of 27 countries within the region. Most case reports for cysticercosis and NCC were from South Africa, while Tanzania had the most aggregated cysticercosis reports. Eleven countries reported on NCC with seven countries reporting data on NCC and epilepsy. Unconfirmed human T. solium taeniosis cases were reported in nine countries while two countries (Madagascar and Zambia) reported confirmed T. solium cases. The cysticercosis seroprevalence ranged between 0.99 - 40.8% on antigen (Ag) tests and between 1.7 - 45.3% on antibody (Ab) tests, while NCC- suggestive lesions on brain CT scans showed a prevalence range between 1.0 - 76%. The human taeniosis prevalence based on microscopy ranged between 0.1 - 14.7%. Based on Copro Ag- ELISA studies conducted in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the highest prevalence of 19.7% was reported in Kenya

Conclusions

Despite the public health and economic impact ofT. soliumin ESA, there are still large gaps in knowledge about the occurrence of the parasite, and the resulting One Health disease complex, and monitoring ofT. soliumtaeniosis and cysticercosis is mostly not in place

Author summary

Taenia soliumis a tapeworm that causes three diseases, taeniosis in humans and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. Neurocysticercosis, which occurs when the central nervous system is involved has been associated with up to 57% of epilepsy cases in sub–Saharan Africa. Diagnosing neurocysticercosis among people with epilepsy is vital to prevent further morbidity and mortality from the disease as well as to reduce the negative socio-cultural beliefs associated with epilepsy. Within Eastern and Southern Africa, there are many countries in which information on the presence of human taeniosis, cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis is missing. This systematic review aimed to describe the current information available and gaps in the epidemiology of humanT. soliuminfections in Eastern and Southern Africa. We found that Information on either taeniosis, cysticercosis or NCC was available only for 16 of 27 countries within the region. We also found that most of the studies onT. soliumtaeniosis, cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis within the region have been done in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Understanding the epidemiology ofT. soliuminfections is essential for monitoring, prevention and control of the disease complex in a One Health approach.