Eradication of Neurocysticercosis in South Africa Without Mass Drug Therapy
Author(s): Lourdes de Fatima Ibanez Valdes and Humberto Foyaca Sibat*
Abstract
Introduction: Taenia solium Taeniasis/Cysticercosis (TSTC) is a preventable foodborne, zoonotic, neglected tropical disorder predominantly seen in persons living or visiting low-and middle?income endemic countries. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the consequence of invasion by the same cestode into the brain, optic nerves, or spinal cord. The cestode is identified as the larva form of the pig tapeworm Taenia solium (Ts).
Methods: We searched the literature, following the guidelines outlined in the PRISMA statement. From January 1985 to January 2025, the authors searched the scientific databases Scopus, Embassy, Medline, and PubMed Central using the following searches: “eradication of taeniosis/ cysticercosis” OR “eradication of NCC” OR “control of NCC” OR “control of taeniosis/cysticercosis “OR “mass drug therapy for NCC, OR “mass pig vaccination”.
Results: After screening the full?text articles for relevance, 32 were included in the final review. However, no article was selected when we searched for the eradication of NCC without pig vaccination/ mass drug therapy.
Conclusions: No country worldwide has reported the eradication of active NCCs in this century. For more than ten years, nobody died in South Africa due to active NCC, and no dangerous presentations of NCC for life were identified. Only sporadic cases presenting calcified NCC still coming for medical care of secondary epilepsy.