Epidemiological investigation of Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis in a rural village of Michoacan State, Mexico

Abstract

We performed a survey for taeniasis and cysticercosis among persons living in a Mexican village where Taenia solium infection in pigs was known to be enzootic. A standardized questionnaire was administered in all 577 households to obtain medical histories and information on demographic and environmental factors and on risk factors associated with transmission of infection. Serum and/or stool specimens were obtained from 1005 volunteers and examined for cysticercosis antibodies and intestinal parasites. Faecal examination of 828 participants revealed infection by Taenia sp. in 2 (0·2%). Three additional cases of taeniasis were detected in individuals who evacuated proglottids after treatment with praziquantel. Of 1005 human serum specimens, 49 (4·9%) were positive in the cysticercosis immunoblot assay. Seropositivity increased with age and reached a peak in subjects aged 46–55 years (P < 0·05). A history of seizures was significantly associated with seropositivity (P < 0·05); approximately 25% of persons with such histories were seropositive. Histories of headache, dizziness, trembling, blurred vision, and vomiting were also significantly associated with positive immunoblot assays. This study has demonstrated previously undiagnosed morbidity associated with T. solium neurocysticercosis and identified community behavioural and environmental practices that must be modified to prevent continued transmission of cysticercosis and taeniasis.