Modelling for Taenia solium control strategies beyond 2020

Abstract

The cestode Taenia solium is responsible for a considerable cross-sectoral health and economic burden due to human neurocysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis. The 2012 World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap for neglected tropical diseases called for the development of a validated strategy for control of T. solium; however, such a strategy is not yet available. In 2019, WHO launched a global consultation aimed at refining the post-2020 targets for control of T. solium for a new roadmap for neglected tropical diseases. In response, two groups working on taeniasis and cysticercosis mathematical models (cystiSim and EPICYST models), together with a range of other stakeholders organized a workshop to provide technical input to the WHO consultation and develop a research plan to support efforts to achieve the post-2020 targets. The workshop led to the formation of a collaboration, CystiTeam, which aims to tackle the population biology, transmission dynamics, epidemiology and control of T. solium through mathematical modelling approaches. In this paper, we outline developments in T. solium control and in particular the use of modelling to help achieve post-2020 targets for control of T. solium. We discuss the steps involved in improving confidence in the predictive capacities of existing mathematical and computational models on T. solium transmission, including model comparison, refinement, calibration and validation. Expanding the CystiTeam partnership to other research groups and stakeholders, particularly those operating in different geographical and endemic areas, will enhance the prospects of improving the applicability of T. solium transmission models to inform taeniasis and cysticercosis control strategies.

Spatial distribution and risk factors for human cysticercosis in Colombia

“…Although our study focused on the identification of risk factors associated with exposure to T. solium and residual degrees of spatial clustering, similar geostatistical and machine learning approaches can be used that focus on predicting the spatial distribution of disease using GIS data [ 17 ]. Such approaches, conducted at national and global scales, will be crucial in assisting progress towards the WHO’s 2030 goals [ 22 , 58 ].…”

Diagnosis of Taenia solium infections based on “mail order” RNA-sequencing of single tapeworm egg isolates from stool samples

“…To deliver on the WHO goal to control T . solium in endemic areas by the year 2030, more data on regional prevalence and transmission are urgently needed [ 22 ]. This calls for a simple approach that would enable health personnel to identify taeniasis worldwide [ 21 ].…”

“…However, easy to administer tests [ 21 ] and accurate prevalence data would be urgently needed for the planning of community health programs at the governmental as well as the WHO-level with the ultimate goal to regionally eliminate T . solium [ 8 ] by the year 2030 as proposed by the WHO [ 22 ].…”

Use of Veterinary Vaccines for Livestock as a Strategy to Control Foodborne Parasitic Diseases

“…The cestode Taenia solium is at the top of the global multicriteria-based ranking of foodborne parasites described by FAO/WHO (Devleesschauwer et al, 2017 ) ( Table 1 ), and is the causative agent of cysticercosis in humans and pigs, leading to considerable health and economic burden (Dixon et al, 2020 ). In fact, T. solium neurocysticercosis is the most important preventable cause of acquired epilepsy, being responsible for more than 30% of the cases in endemic countries (World Health Organization, 2015b ) and probably, in the world (Rajshekhar et al, 2006 ).…”