Taenia solium in Europe: Still endemic?

- There is considerable uncertainty regarding Taenia solium endemicity across Europe.
- International literature is insufficient to assess situation in Eastern Europe.
- Officially reported data on porcine cysticercosis are highly insufficient.
- Favourable conditions for T. solium transmission still exist in Eastern Europe.

The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, causes an important economic and health burden, mainly in rural or marginalized communities of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin-America. Although improved pig rearing conditions seem to have eliminated the parasite in most Western European countries, little is known about the true endemicity status of T. solium throughout Europe. Three recent reviews indicate that autochthonous human T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis may be possible in Europe, but that current peer-reviewed literature is biased towards Western Europe. Officially reported data on porcine cysticercosis are highly insufficient. Favourable conditions for local T. solium transmission still exist in eastern parts of Europe, although the ongoing integration of the European Union is speeding up modernisation and intensification of the pig sector. Further evidence is urgently needed to fill the gaps on the European T. solium endemicity map. We urge to make human cysticercosis notifiable and to improve the reporting of porcine cysticercosis.

This manuscript summarizes information on autochthonous human Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis, porcine cysticercosis, and pig rearing conditions in Europe. There is considerable uncertainty about the true endemicity status of T. solium across Europe, but favourable conditions for T. solium transmission still exist in Eastern Europe.98