Taenia multiceps coenurosis: a review.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Molecular Epidemiology
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Taenia multiceps is a cestode parasite infecting carnivores, with its larval stage (Coenurus cerebralis) causing coenurosis in livestock.
• Coenurosis leads to significant economic losses in livestock farming due to its high fatality rate in intermediate hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of Taenia multiceps, covering its life cycle, epidemiology, molecular characterization, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, control, and zoonotic implications.
• To highlight the genetic diversity within T. multiceps populations and its impact on disease presentation and control.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on Taenia multiceps.
• Analysis of molecular data, including mitochondrial genes (COI and ND1) for population genetics.
• Synthesis of information on clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, vaccine development, anthelmintic use, and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

• Significant genetic variation exists in T. multiceps, with three major haplotypes identified.
• Coenurosis presents as acute (migration) or chronic (maturation) forms in sheep, and non-cerebral forms in goats.
• Diagnostic imaging alongside clinical signs is crucial for cerebral coenurosis diagnosis; recombinant vaccines and anthelmintics show efficacy, while surgery remains the most effective treatment.

Conclusions:

• Coenurosis poses a substantial threat to livestock globally, necessitating integrated control strategies including anthelmintic treatment of definitive hosts and proper carcass disposal.
• Preventative measures and effective treatments are vital for mitigating economic losses and preventing zoonotic transmission to humans.
• Further research into T. multiceps molecular epidemiology can inform targeted control strategies and vaccine development.