Taeniasis, a neglected tropical disease, from Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that human taeniasis is a neglected tropical disease. It has a worldwide distribution, even in developed countries. Three species of Taenia (Tania saginata, Taenia solium, and Taenia asiatica) can infect humans. The definitive hosts are humans, while intermediate hosts are cattle or pigs. Consuming raw or undercooked beef can lead to Taenia saginata taeniasis, while the primary source of infection for T. asiatica and T. solium is raw or undercooked pork. Taenia saginata taeniasis is the most prevalent in Islamic countries such as Iran, in which pork consumption is very low. It has been reported that human taeniasis has a prevalence between 0.0028% to 3% in Iran. Little is known about the molecular characterization of T. saginata in Iran. In this study, T. saginata was diagnosed based on its morphological and molecular characteristics. This is the first report on the molecular definition of Taenia saginata from Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran.