Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública (Apr 2018)

Notes and recommendations for the establishment of control programs for taeniasis and cysticercosis due to Taenia solium in Peru

  • Héctor H. García,
  • Armando E. González,
  • Seth E. O’Neal,
  • Robert H. Gilman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2018.351.3606
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 1
pp. 132 – 8

Abstract

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Neurocysticercosis is a nervous system infection caused by the larvae (cysticercus) of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium). Neurocysticercosis is the primary cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide and, therefore, a global public health problem. On the other hand, T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is one of very few infectious diseases considered to be potentially eradicable. Recently, a large-scale elimination program in Tumbes, Peru, demonstrated the feasibility of interrupting transmission. Based on these advances, a series of initial guidelines are proposed aimed at setting out the foundations for regional and national taeniasis/cysticercosis control programs, with simple and feasible local interventions as a starting point.

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