Epidemiology of Taenia saginata taeniasis with emphasis on its prevalence and transmission in a Kashmiri population in India: A prospective study

Abstract Background Taeniasis, caused by two major Taenia species, T. solium and T. saginata, is a worldwide foodborne zoonotic disease. T. solium is found in people who habitually eat raw or undercooked pork, while T. saginata is found in people who habitually eat raw or undercooked beef. Cattle rearing and beef consumption is an important socio-cultural feature in the Kashmir valley, India. This study's objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of foodborne taeniasis in Kashmir and explore the various risk factors for its transmission. Methods and materials A detailed survey of the population in selected rural and semi-urban sites of Kashmir valley was carried out based on previous information. A total of 12,404 subjects (males = 6364; females = 6040) ranging from one to 85 years of age (mean age: 28.96 ± 17.68) were included in this study. The parasite diagnosis was made through stool analysis (egg morphology) and anatomical characteristics of gravid proglottids obtained from infected cases. The data obtained were compiled for the parameters studied and statistically analyzed. Results The observations as estimated coprologically and based on gravid proglottids’ anatomy revealed the presence of T. saginata infection. The prevalence was 2.74% with males significantly (p  60 years showed greater prevalence (7.21% among males and 2.68% among females) at a significance value of p  Conclusion Our findings indicate that the Kashmiri population who consume raw or undercooked beef, harbor T. saginata infection; its prevalence was influenced by food eating habits, age, sex, and living conditions.