Bovine cysticercosis: Preliminary observations on the immunohistochemical detection of Taenia saginata antigens in lymph nodes of an experimentally infected calf

A newly developed immunohistochemical test was used for the first time to demonstrate the presence of Taenia saginata (Cysticercus bovis) antigens in the lymph nodes of a heifer calf experimentally inoculated with Taenia saginata eggs. The new test should aid in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic lymphadenitis in cattle

THE TAENIASIS-CYSTICERCOSIS COMPLEX IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

Abstract. Taenia solium is present in most of the countries of West and Central Africa with the exception of strict Muslim areas, where pigs are not raised and pork is not eaten for religious reasons. Although the first reports about human and porcine cysticercosis date from the fifties, extensive surveys have only been carried out in a few countries such as Benin, Cameroon, and Togo. However, a lot of case reports and data from small scale surveys are available. Porcine cysticercosis is generally more widespread in Central than in West Africa. In several regions of Central Africa, prevalence figures in pigs of 20 to 30% (based on tongue or meat inspection) are not uncommon. In many West African countries, however, the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis is usually lower than 20% and often below 10%. There are indications that human cysticercosis is also more important in Central than in West Africa. Few data are available on human taeniasis and often no distinction is made between T. solium and T. saginata. Two large scale studies (Togo and Cameroon), in which the tapeworms were identified at the species level, revealed a percentage of about 0.1

First Report of Orchitis in Man Caused by Brucella abortus Biovar 1 in Ecuador.

Abstract. We present a 44-year-old man from a rural community in northern Ecuador who worked on a cattle farm where he was involved with primary veterinary care, including assistance during births (or calving) and placenta retention and artificial insemination, with minimal precautions. In September of 2009, quite abruptly, he developed asthenia and hypersomnia without any apparent cause or symptoms like fever, chills, or night sweats. On November 14, 2009, he suffered from pain and edema in the right testicle that coincided with pain in the abdomen. Clinical, serological, and bacteriological investigations confirmed the first case of unilateral orchitis in man in Ecuador caused by Brucella abortus biovar 1. Because brucellosis is a neglected disease, special attention should be given to it in the training of medical and veterinary students

Human Brucellosis in Northwest Ecuador: Typifying Brucella spp., Seroprevalence, and Associated Risk Factors

Human brucellosis in Ecuador is underreported and based only on passive surveillance. Since 2008, brucellosis was removed from the list of communicable diseases in the country. Until now, the true human brucellosis picture has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the disease, identify risk factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity in humans, and isolate circulating strains of Brucella spp. in the northwestern part of Ecuador. Between 2006 and 2008, a large transect survey was conducted, based on blood sampling of people from the northwestern part of Ecuador (n=3733) together with an epidemiological inquiry. On the basis of three diagnostic tests used in parallel, the overall seroprevalence was estimated as 1.88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-2.38). Based on a multivariable random effects logistic regression analysis, the main risk factors associated with human brucellosis seropositivity were contact with livestock (odds ratio [OR]=3.0; CI 1.25-7.08), consumption of fetus and placenta (OR=2.5; CI 1.18-5.22), and involvement in activities at risk for brucellosis infection (OR=1.8; CI 1.00-3.35). Noticeable variation in brucellosis seropositivity among humans within cantons was observed. The circulating strain was Brucella abortus biotype 4. This study emphasized that contact with livestock, consumption of fetus and placenta, and occupational hazard group were all significant risk factors for the transmission of brucellosis among individuals in the northwestern part of Ecuador. Alongside encouraging the launching of educational campaigns against brucellosis, especially in rural areas where 36% of the population lives, controlling this zoonotic disease in animals will directly benefit its prevention in humans, especially because there is no safe and efficacious vaccine against brucellosis in humans