Taenia solium Cysticercosis/Taeniosis in Europe and Central Asia

In Europe, occurrence of autochthonous T. solium cases was long debatable. In 2014, the ‘European Network on Taeniosis/Cysticercosis’ was formed and one of the main objectives was to document the number of T. solium cases and their origin in Europe. As described in reviews, taeniosis and cysticercosis cases were reported in almost all countries across the continent. Species specification was rarely performed and diagnosis of human cysticercosis was challenging as the disease is rare and might not be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with neurological symptoms. Porcine cysticercosis is notifiable, and meat inspection mandatory according to European regulations; however, as the sensitivity of the method is low, cases might be underreported.

In central Asia, the disease is presumably absent, as countries in the region are mostly Muslim. However, presence of human cysticercosis cannot be excluded, especially if travels to endemic areas are common or migrants from endemic areas are working in the region.

A common strategy is warranted to harmonise reporting and monitoring across Europe and beyond. Especially with increasing popularity of outdoor pig farming, human migration from endemic countries and extensive travel and commerce, there is a chance that autochthonous T. solium transmission may rise in the future.