Neurocysticercosis is the leading cause of preventable epilepsy in many low resource settings worldwide. It is caused by larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium, specifically in endemic regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America where it accounts for 30% of epilepsy cases. As is the case for other neglected tropical diseases, infections with T. solium are entirely preventable using existing medicines and interventions. They occur in association with poverty and in populations with little access to health information, medication, and diagnostic and treatment opportunities.
Two new documents are now available:
- Rationale for investment and action: Taenia solium infection burdens economies, societies and individuals – Neurocysticercosis, the cause of severe conditions such as epilepsy, remains an under-recognized public health concern. However, control of the parasite is possible using existing tools. Investing in collaboration and integration can lead to rapid advances and improvements in health, even beyond control of T. solium.
- Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis diagnostic tools: Report of a stakeholder meeting – Diagnostic tools are of crucial importance to monitor, treat and control taeniasis and neurocysticercosis. Country experiences from China, Madagascar, Mexico and Latin America, Peru, Viet Nam and Zambia and the perspectives of laboratory and pipeline developers of diagnostic tests were presented at a meeting of stakeholders convened by WHO and TDR, paving the way towards affordable, accurate and accessible tools against the disease.