Public health implications of cysticercosis acquired in the United States

Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 Jan;17(1):1-6. doi: 10.3201/eid1701.101210.

Abstract

Cysticercosis has emerged as a cause of severe neurologic disease in the United States that primarily affects immigrants from Latin America. Moreover, the relevance of cysticercosis as a public health problem has been highlighted by local transmission. We searched the biomedical literature for reports documenting cases of cysticercosis acquired in the United States. A total of 78 cases, principally neurocysticercosis, were reported from 12 states during 1954-2005. A confirmed or presumptive source of infection was identified among household members or close personal contacts of 16 (21%) case-patients. Several factors, including the severe, potentially fatal, nature of cysticercosis; its fecal-oral route of transmission; the considerable economic effect; the availability of a sensitive and specific serologic test for infection by adult Taenia solium tapeworms; and the demonstrated ability to find a probable source of infection among contacts, all provide a compelling rationale for implementation of public health control efforts.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cysticercosis / epidemiology*
  • Cysticercosis / parasitology
  • Cysticercosis / prevention & control*
  • Cysticercosis / transmission
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Public Health*
  • Taenia solium / isolation & purification
  • United States
  • Young Adult