Molecular Identification and Appraisal of the Genetic Variation of Taenia saginata in Central Regions of Vietnam

Taenia saginata is a globally distributed tapeworm responsible for human taeniasis due to the ingestion of raw or undercooked beef. T. saginata is present in several Asian countries, including China, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam, but little is known about its genetic variation. Studying the tapeworm’s phylogeographic patterns is crucial to better understanding their association with the geographic distribution of taeniasis/cysticercosis in human populations. In the present study, 38 specimens of this putative species were collected in central regions of Vietnam and analysed using the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) as a molecular marker to assess the correct species identification and investigate the level of genetic variation at different geographic scales. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were carried out on a dataset that included COI sequences from Vietnamese specimens and from all conspecifics available in GenBank to date. The results showed that the collected Vietnamese specimens belonged to the species T. saginata. In Southeast Asia, signs of a possible founder effect were discovered, with the most common haplotypes frequent and present in many countries, except Lao PDR, which shares its most common haplotype only with individuals from Thailand. Remarkably, a unique taxonomic entity was found worldwide, even though the available COI sequences of T. saginata belonging to non-Asiatic countries are, at present, limited. Therefore, future studies including more COI sequences from a higher number of countries and the use of a combined molecular approach with multiple genetic markers would be useful to provide deeper insight into the global genetic variation of this species.

Pinworm infection in school children of four districts of Malakand region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Illnesses caused by human pinworm remains a pediatric health problem in developing nations including Pakistan. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis in school children of four districts in Malakand region, Pakistan. Four hundred faecal specimens were screened from May 2014 to July 2017 using normal saline and Lugol Iodine solution. Twenty three (5.75%) individuals were found infected with E. vermicularis. Five children (1.25%) were infected with only E. vermicularis and eighteen (4.5%) were mixed with other helminths. E. vermicularis 23 (5.75%), hookworm 11 (2.75%), Ascaris lumbricoides 5 (1.25%), Taenia saginata 2 (0.5%) and Trichuris trichuira 4 (1%) were detected. Age wise 5-8 years were more parasitized followed by 13-15 and 9-12 years of age (0.0296, P<0.05). Male children were highly (0.06700, P<0.05) infected than female. Children in Malakand district were found more infected followed by Dir Upper, similar infection rate was noted in children of districts Lower Dir and Swat (0.0192, P<0.05). Children in primary level were highly (0.0013, P<0.05) infected than those of middle and high levels. Enterobiosis is still the most common parasitic diseases in children. Studies on enterobiosis should be conducted time by time to recognize the hazardous of such parasitic infection in remote areas of the country.

DECOCTION OF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) PEEL AS AN ANTHELMINTIC AGAINST TAENIA SAGINATA

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel decoction against Taenia saginata. Methods: The in vitro assay was conducted by observing the motility of T. saginata, which is isolated from cattle’s gastrointestinal tract, in various concentrations of pomegranate peel decoction with albendazole as a positive control. Results: The results showed that the anthelmintic activity was dependent on decoction concentration and the duration of contact between decoction and nematode. Decoction at moderate concentration causes paralysis, while high concentration causes death. The 75% and 100% pomegranate peel decoction started to cause death at 240 min and 150 min after contact with T. saginata. Conclusion: It was concluded that pomegranate peel decoction has anthelmintic activity.

Teniases caused by Taenia asiatica, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium

The urgency of the problem of human teniases is due to the widespread prevalence of these parasitoses, which often infect humans.The aim and result of the work is to summarize the available information about the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis, etiotropic therapy and prevention of human teniases.Conclusion. Teniases are widespread, including on the territory of Russia. The clinic mainly includes symptoms of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic reactions. Diagnostics is carried out on the basis of the detection of eggs, proglottids, coproangigens of parasites in the feces, serological and molecular genetic tests. Praziquantel is an effective etiotropic therapy. Prevention takes into account the peculiarities of the epidemiology of teniases.

Case Report: Disseminated Cysticercosis due to Intentional Ingestion of Parasitic Worm Eggs for Weight Loss

A 20-year-old female resident of Beijing intended to consume the eggs of the parasitic worm, Taenia saginata, for weight loss; however, she apparently inadvertently ingested Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) eggs, which resulted in disseminated cysticercosis. Cysticerci developed in the brain, tongue, muscles, liver, peritoneum, and subcutaneous tissues. She was administered oral albendazole and praziquantel. After four 10-day courses of treatment, most of the cysts disappeared and she recovered. After 3 years, the patient remains in good health.

Evaluating Different Storage Media for Identification of Taenia saginata Proglottids Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Taenia saginata is a helminth that can cause taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in cattle. A species-specific diagnosis and differentiation from related species (e.g., Taenia solium) is crucial for individual patient management and disease control programs. Diagnostic stool microscopy is limited by low sensitivity and does not allow discrimination between T. saginata and T. solium. Molecular diagnostic approaches are not routinely available outside research laboratories. Recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) was proposed as a potentially suitable technique for species-specific helminth diagnosis. However, standardized protocols and commercial databases for parasite identification are currently unavailable, and pre-analytical factors have not yet been assessed. The purpose of this study was to employ MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of T. saginata proglottids obtained from a human patient, and to assess the effects of different sample storage media on the technique’s diagnostic accuracy. We generated T. saginata-specific main spectral profiles and added them to an in-house database for MALDI-TOF MS-based diagnosis of different helminths. Based on protein spectra, T. saginata proglottids could be successfully differentiated from other helminths, as well as bacteria and fungi. Additionally, we analyzed T. saginata proglottids stored in (i) LC–MS grade water; (ii) 0.45% sodium chloride; (iii) 70% ethanol; and (iv) 37% formalin after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 weeks of storage. MALDI-TOF MS correctly identified 97.2–99.7% of samples stored in water, sodium chloride, and ethanol, with log-score values ≥2.5, thus indicating reliable species identification. In contrast, no protein spectra were obtained for samples stored in formalin. We conclude that MALDI-TOF-MS can be successfully employed for the identification of T. saginata, and that water, sodium chloride, and ethanol are equally effective storage solutions for prolonged periods of at least 24 weeks.

Taenia saginata Infection Misdiagnosed as Acute Cholecystitis in a Tibetan Patient, in China

The present study reports a rare case of Taenia saginata infection, which was initially diagnosed as acute cholecystitis in a Tibetan patient at the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau pastoral area, China. A 45-year-old female was initially diagnosed with acute cholecystitis at a hospital in China. She had a slight fever, weight loss and constipation and complained of pain in the upper abdomen and left back areas. Increase of monocyte, eosinophil and basophil levels were shown. Taenia sp. eggs were detected in a fecal examination. An adult tapeworm approximately 146 cm in length, whitish-yellow color, was collected from the patient after treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. The adult tapeworm had a scolex and proglottids with genital pores. The scolex was rectangular shape with 4 suckers and rostellum without hooklet. The cox1 gene sequence shared 99.5-99.8% homology with that of T. saginata from other regions in China. The patient was diagnosed finally infected with T. saginata by morphological and molecular charateristics.

Occurrence of a Hybrid Between Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica Tapeworms in Cambodia

Human infection with <i>Taenia asiatica</i> or a hybrid between <i>Taenia saginata<i> and <i>T. asiatica</i> has not been reported in Cambodia. We detected for the first time a hybrid form between <i>T. saginata</i> and <i>T. asiatica</i> in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. An adult tapeworm specimen, i.e., 75 cm long strobila without scolex, was expelled from a 27-year-old man after praziquantel medication and purging. It was morphologically indistinguishable between <i>T. saginata</i> and <i>T. asiatica</i>. Several proglottids were molecularly analyzed to confirm the tapeworm species. The mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase subunit 1 (<i>cox</i>1) and nuclear genes encoding elongation factor-1α (<i>ef1</i>) and ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-like protein (<i>elp</i>) were sequenced, and a single-allele analysis was performed to confirm the haploid genotype. The results revealed that our sample showed a discrepancy between the mitochondrial and 2 nuclear genes. It possessed homozygous sequences typical of <i>T. saginata</i> at <i>cox</i>1 and <i>ef1</i> loci. However, it was heterozygous at the <i>elp</i> locus, with 1 allele in <i>T. asiatica (elpA)</i> and 1 in <i>T. saginata (elpC</i>), which indicates that it is a hybrid between <i>T. saginata</i> and <i>T. asiatica</i>. The present results confirmed the presence of a hybrid between <i>T. saginata</i> and <i>T. asiatica</i> in Cambodia and strongly suggest the existence of also ‘pure’ <i>T. asiatica</i> in Cambodia.