Current status and research progress of cysticercosis

: Cysticercosis refers to a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of pork tapeworm Taenia solium. It is a parasitic zoonosis and listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the neglected tropical diseases. Cysticercosis is spreading all over the world through globalization and it mainly epidemic in developing countries. In the southwest and minority nationality areas of China, as a result of the low level of medical and health care, and the unchangeable diet custom, there are still many cases of cysticercosis, which is manifested as a local high prevalence. Neuroimaging is the preferred method for cysticercosis diagnosis, and by using CT and MRI scans it is possible to visualise the infecting cysticerci and assess their number and location within the central nervous system (CNS) . The immunological assay is also required in the diagnosis. At present, the prevention and control of cysticercosis is still relatively weak. In this paper, the current status and research progress of cysticercosis are reviewed, and further suggestions on the prevention and control of cysticercosis are put forward.