title: Complexities in using sentinel pigs to study Taenia solium transmission dynamics under field conditions.
abstract: The transmission dynamics of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, remain a matter of research and debate. In a longitudinal field study performed in southeastern Nepal, 18 sentinel pigs were serologically monitored to study the field kinetics of Taenia antigens and anti-T. solium antibodies. At the end of the twelve months' study period, necropsy was performed and suspected lesions were subjected to molecular identification of the Taenia species. The study generated new hypotheses on the transmission dynamics of Taenia spp. and exposed crucial complexities in the use of sentinel pigs in longitudinal field studies. Sentinel pigs can be useful epidemiological tools, but their use should be thoroughly planned before initiating a study and carefully monitored throughout the course of the study. Important aspects to be considered are those affecting the pig's susceptibility to infection, such as passive immunity, age, hormonal levels, and infection with competing Taenia species. In addition, serological test results should be interpreted considering possible cross-reactions and with proper understanding of the significance of a positive test result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Brecht.Devleesschauwer@UGent.be
authors.forename: Brecht
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Devleesschauwer
authors.forename: Arjun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aryal
authors.forename: Jayaraman
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tharmalingam
authors.forename: Durga Datt
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Suman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rijal
authors.forename: Niko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Speybroeck
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gabriël
authors.forename: Bjorn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dorny
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth