title: Human sparganosis, a neglected food borne zoonosis.
abstract: Human sparganosis is a food borne zoonosis caused by the plerocercoid larvae (spargana) of various diphyllobothroid tapeworms of the genus Spirometra. Human infections are acquired by ingesting the raw or undercooked meat of snakes or frogs, drinking untreated water, or using raw flesh in traditional poultices. More than 1600 cases of sparganosis have been documented worldwide, mostly in east and southeast Asia. Sporadic cases have been reported in South America, Europe, and Africa, and several cases have been described in travellers returning from endemic regions. Epidemiological data suggest that the increased effect of sparganosis on human health is because of greater consumption of raw meat of freshwater frogs and snakes. This Review provides information about the Spirometra parasites and their lifecycles, summarises clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of human sparganosis, and describes geographical distribution and infection characteristics of Spirometra parasites in host animals.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China; Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Huguangyan, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Wei
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Ze-Dong
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Guang-Hui
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China. Electronic address: xingquanzhu1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xing-Quan
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D013031:Sparganosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013032:Sparganum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013146:Spirometra / Q000502:physiology*; D019371:Topography, Medical; D014195:Travel; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology