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Insects dispersing taeniid eggs: Who and how?
Giovanni Benelli1, Marion Wassermann2, Norbert W Brattig3
1Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
Veterinary Parasitology
|May 26, 2021
Summary
Arthropods like flies and beetles act as mechanical vectors for taeniid tapeworm eggs, spreading neglected zoonotic diseases such as taeniosis/cysticercosis and echinococcosis. Understanding their role is crucial for preventing infections in humans and animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Taeniosis/cysticercosis and echinococcosis are neglected zoonotic helminth infections caused by tapeworms.
- These diseases have a significant global disease burden, impacting both human and animal health.
- Arthropods can mechanically transport taeniid eggs, yet their role as carriers is often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and significance of arthropods as carriers and spreaders of taeniid eggs.
- To highlight the epidemiological importance of arthropod vectors in taeniosis/cysticercosis and echinococcosis.
- To identify research gaps for improved prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on scientific knowledge regarding arthropods and taeniid egg transmission.
- Analysis of current research on the role of various insect groups in disease spread.
- Identification of key challenges and future research directions.
Main Results:
- Several arthropod groups, including houseflies, blowflies, dung beetles, darkling beetles, ground beetles, and skin beetles, play a relevant role in spreading taeniid eggs.
- Arthropod vectors contribute to environmental contamination, potentially infecting hosts via ingestion of insects or contaminated food/water.
- The mechanical transport by arthropods facilitates the circulation of tapeworms between definitive and intermediate hosts.
Conclusions:
- Arthropods are significant, often underestimated, vectors in the epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis and echinococcosis.
- Further research is essential to develop and enhance global guidelines for preventing taeniid infections.
- Integrating knowledge of arthropod roles into control strategies is vital for reducing disease burden.
