ABSTRACT
This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by Taenia in relation to their etiology, biology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The genus Taenia covers a group of tapeworms whose ribbon-like adult resides in the intestines of carnivore or omnivore, and whose cyst-like larva lives in the internal organs of herbivores or omnivores, including humans. Of the 45 Taenia species, three (i.e., Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, and Taenia asiatica) are linked to human diseases. Specifically, while these three tapeworms are associated with largely asymptomatic intestinal taeniasis in humans, T. solium is responsible for cysticercosis in pigs as well as humans, T. saginata for cysticercosis in cattle, and T. asiatica for cysticercosis in pigs. Upon ingestion by intermediate host, Taenia eggs hatch and develop into infective cysticerci in selective organs. Use of serological and molecular techniques is helpful in achieving rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnoses of taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans, pigs, and cattle.
