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Project

Taenia spp. cysticercosis in pigs in Northern Vietnam

Pork is the main source of animal protein in Vietnam but its consumption is associated with foodborne infections in humans, thus contributing to a public health burden. Porcine cysticercosis, one of the common helminth infections in pigs, may be caused by the zoonotic tapeworms Taenia solium and T. asiatica, which have man as the final host, as well as by the non-zoonotic T. hydatigena, which is transmitted by dogs. While infections with T. solium and T. asiatica have been reported in humans in Vietnam, the occurrence of Taenia spp. in the animal intermediate and final hosts has been poorly studied, warranting epidemiological studies on the topic. In Hanoi and Phu Tho provinces, Northern Vietnam, this project will (i) characterize the pig value chain in the area; (ii) estimate the prevalence of Taenia spp. in pigs and dogs in slaughter places, and assess the performance of available diagnostic tools; (iii) unravel risk factors for porcine cysticercosis; and (iv) estimate the socio-economic impacts of Taenia spp. infections in humans and pigs. Knowledge acquired from these studies will contribute to a better understanding of the role and the importance of pig cysticercosis in the country from a food safety point of view
Date:1 Mar 2018 →  2 Jun 2022
Keywords:B780-tropical-medicine