Potential Elimination of Active Taenia solium Transmission in Africa

Potential Elimination of Active Taenia solium Transmission in AfricaTo the Editor: Taeniasis and cysticercosis due to Taenia solium are major foodborne parasitic zoonoses that severely affect public health, social, and economic sectors, with the burden of neurocysticercosis estimated at 2,788,426 disabilityadjusted life-years. 1 A study involving an integrated intervention program in humans and pigs showed elimination of transmission of T. solium in Peru. 2 This study provided important proof of concept; however, similar studies of T. solium elimination have not been completed in sub-Saharan Africa, where the prevalence of this infection and the level of poverty are higher than in Peru. 3 We conducted the CYSTISTOP study (Clinical Trials.govnumber, NCT02612896), which involved a 2-year integrated intervention in humans and pigs in eastern Zambia, where taeniasis and cysticercosis are hyperendemic, to evaluate the feasibility of eliminating T. solium in sub-Saharan Africa.