Current status of food-borne parasitic zoonoses in Taiwan

More than 50 species of zoonotic parasites (nematodes-18 spp., trematodes-19 spp., cestodes-10 spp., protozoa-2 spp., and arthropods-2 spp.) have been reported in Taiwan. Among them, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Clonorchis sinensis and Taenia saginata are the most important and most common food-borne parasites. Angiostrongyliasis is highly endemic in southern and eastern Taiwan. About 80% of patients are children below 15 years of age, mostly infected after eating Achatina fulica during May and September. Patients residing in the mountainous and remote areas are more susceptible than those in the urban districts. Cipangopaludina chinensis and Ampullarium canaliculatus are additional important sources of infection. Albendazole is effective in treating infections in animals. Levamisole has been shown to shorten and lighten the course and symptoms in clinical trials. Clonorchiasis is endemic in Miao-li in northern, Sun-moon lake in central, and Mei-nung in southern Taiwan. Recent surveys, however, have shown endemic areas to be more extensive. Hakkanese and farmers have a greater tendency of infection than other groups. Praziquantel, 3 doses of 20 mg/kg body weight for one day, is an effective treatment. Taeniasis saginata is mainly caused by eating raw beef or viscera of wild animals by the aborigines. A single dose of 150 mg praziquantel cures almost 100%.