Porcine cysticercosis

Porcine cysticercosis (PC) is caused by the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium).  PC is a problem in LMICs in extensive pig rearing situations, where carcass quality and value is affected by infection with the pork tapeworm cysts. PC causes significant economic losses to pig farmers through carcase condemnation and lower weight slaughter pigs.

T. solium is also zoonotic through human consumption of infected raw or undercooked pork meat. Human cysticercosis affects many different organs, and when cysts develop in the brain it causes neurocysticercosis (NCC). NCC is the most common parasitic infection of the human nervous system and the most frequent preventable cause of adult epilepsy.

5 million human cases, annually.

50,000 human cysticercosis associated deaths, annually.

2.5-8.3 million sufferers of NCC, with up to 75% of people affected receiving poor or no treatment.