Taeniasis and cysticercosis due to <it>Taenia solium </it>in Japan

• Main Authors: Yanagida Tetsuya, Sako Yasuhito, Nakao Minoru, Nakaya Kazuhiro, Ito Akira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-01-01
• Series: Parasites & Vectors
• Subjects: <it>Taenia solium</it>; Cysticercosis; Taeniasis; Japan
• Online Access: http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/18

<p>Abstract</p> <p><it>Taenia solium </it>is a zoonotic cestode that causes taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans. The parasite is traditionally found in developing countries where undercooked pork is consumed under poor sanitary conditions and/or as part of traditional food cultures. However, the recent increase in international tourism and immigration is spreading the disease into non-endemic developed countries such as the United States. Although there has been concern that the number of cysticercosis cases is increasing in Japan, the current situation is not clear. This is largely because taeniasis and cysticercosis are not notifiable conditions in Japan and because there have been no comprehensive reviews of <it>T. solium </it>infections in Japan conducted in the last 15 years. Herein, we provide an overview of the status of <it>T. solium </it>infection in Japan over the past 35 years and point out the potential risks to Japanese society.</p>