title: Cysticercosis/taeniasis in Asia and the Pacific.
abstract: Three taeniid tapeworms infect humans in Asia and the Pacific: Taenia solim, Taenia saginata, and Taenia asiatica. Although there is continuing debate about the definition of a new species, phylogenetic analyses of these parasites have provided multiple lines of evidence that T. asiatica is an independent species and the sister species of T. saginata. Here we review briefly the morphology, pathology, molecular biology, distribution and control options of taeniasis/cysticercosis in Asia and the Pacific and comment on the potential role which dogs may play in the transmission of T. solium. Special attention is focused on Indonesia: taeniasis caused by T. asiatica in North Sumatra, taeniasis/cysticercosis of T. solium and taeniasis of T. saginata in Bali, and taeniasis/cysticercosis of T. solium in Papua (formerly Irian Jaya). Issues relating to the spread of taeniasis/cysticercosis caused by T. solium in Papua New Guinea are highlighted, since serological evidence suggests that cysticercosis occurs among the local residents. The use of modern techniques for detection of taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in humans, pigs and dogs, with the possible adoption of new control measures will provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of taeniasis/cysticercosis in Asia and the Pacific and lead to improved control of zoonotic and simultaneously meat-borne disease transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan. akiraito@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wandra
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.forename: Yasuhito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sako
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: Sri S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Margono
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suroso
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gauci
authors.forename: Marshall W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lightowlers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D013621:Taenia / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology; D041202:Taenia saginata / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000453:epidemiology*