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• Antigen B (AgB) and thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) from Taenia multiceps were cloned. • The antigens were evaluated as agents for serological diagnosis of coenurosis. • Tm-AgB shows high sensitivity and thermal stability. • Tm-AgB is an excellent candidate antigen for coenurosis diagnosis kits. Coenurosis is a serious parasitic disease of herbivorous animals caused by the metacestode of Taenia multiceps (Coenurus cerebralis). Accordingly, a significant amount of research is currently dedicated to the development of appropriate antigens for use in rapid and accurate coenurosis diagnosis kits. In the present study, antigen B (AgB) and thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) from T. multiceps were cloned and expressed using a prokaryotic system, molecular characterization of Tm -AgB was determined by bioinformatical analyses. The serological diagnostic potentials of r Tm -AgB and r Tm -TPx were evaluated by indirect ELISA and compared with those of previously reported r Tm -AnxB2, r Tm -HSP70, and r Tm -GST. The results showed that Tm -AgB is a specific lipoprotein of cestodes with good thermal stability. The ELISA assay showed that r Tm -AgB exhibited a sensitivity of 95.8% and a specificity of 87.5%, indicating its strong potential for serological diagnosis of T. multiceps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenurosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage ( Coenurus cerebralis ) of the canids cestode Taenia multiceps . C. cerebralis particularly infects sheep and goats, and pose a public health concerns. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence and molecular identity of C. cerebralis infecting sheep in Egypt. Infection rate was determined by postmortem inspection of heads of the cases that showed neurological manifestations. Species identification and genetic diversity were analyzed based on PCR-sequence analysis of nuclear ITS1 and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (ND1) gene markers. Out of 3668 animals distributed in 50 herds at localities of Ashmoun and El Sadat cities, El Menoufia Province, Egypt, 420 (11.45%) sheep showed neurological disorders. Postmortem examination of these animals after slaughter at local abattoirs indicated to occurrence of C. cerebralis cysts in the brain of 111 out of 420 (26.4%), with overall infection rate 3.03% of the involved sheep population. Molecular analysis of representative samples of coenuri at ITS1 gene marker showed extensive intra- and inter-sequence diversity due to deletions/insertions in the microsatellite regions. On contrast to the nuclear gene marker, considerably low genetic diversity was seen in the analyzed mitochondrial gene markers. Phylogenetic analysis based on COI and ND1 gene sequences indicated that the generated sequences in the present study and the reference sequences in the database clustered in 4 haplogroups, with more or less similar topologies. Clustering pattern of the phylogenetic tree showed no effect for the geographic location or the host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taenia multiceps is a widespread zoonotic tapeworm parasite which infects cloven-hoofed animals around the world. Animal infection with Coenurus cerebralis , the coenurus larvae of T. multiceps (Tm), is often fatal, which is a major cause of economic losses in stockbreeding. This study amplified the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene from the total RNA of C. cerebralis . The resulting protein, Tm-GST, consisted of 201 amino acids, and had a predicted molecular mass of 23.1 kDa. Its amino acid sequence shares 77.61% similarity with Echinococcus granulosus GST. Recombinant Tm-GST (rTm-GST) was expressed in Escherichia coli . The protein reacted with serum from goats infected with T. multiceps . Immunofluorescence signals indicated that Tm-GST was largely localized in the parenchymatous area of adult T. multiceps ; in addition, it was also apparent in the coenurus. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on rTm-GST showed specificity of 92.8% (13/14) and sensitivity of 90% (18/20) in detecting anti-GST antibodies in serum from naturally infected animals. This study suggests that Tm-GST has the potential to be used as a diagnostic antigen for Coenurosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability and population structure of Taenia multiceps , and to correlate morphological features of individual coenuri with haplotypes. A total of 92 animals (86 sheep; 4 goats; 1 cattle; 1 mouflon, Ovis musimon ) aged between 6–36 months showing clinical symptoms of cerebral coenurosis were included in this study. T. multiceps coenuri (n = 118) sampled from live animals during routine surgery procedures or at post-mortem inspections were examined morphologically and molecularly identified. Morphological features of the 52 coenuri selected for this study (number and size of large and small hooks) were within the range reported in the literature. Fifty-two of the molecularly confirmed T. multiceps coenuri harboured by 47 animals (sheep = 41; cattle = 1; goats = 4; mouflon = 1) were used to determine gene genealogies and population genetic indices and were compared to the 3 T. multiceps genetic variants, Tm1–Tm3 previously described from Sardinia, Italy. For the 379 bp cox1 dataset we identified 11 polymorphic sites of which 8 were parsimony informative. A high haplotype diversity (0.664 ± 0.067) was recorded for the cox1 sequences defining 10 haplotypes (TM01–TM10). The comparison of haplotypes generated in this study with published T . multiceps Tm1 variant pointed to the possible existence of a common lineage for T. multiceps . No correlation was detected between the size of the small and large hooks and the cox 1 haplotypes. Polycystic infestation (2–9 coenuri) was recorded in 27.7% of animals (13/47). No statistical correlation between polycystic T. multiceps infection and haplotypes was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to genetically characterise the larval stage (coenurus) of Taenia multiceps from ruminants in Greece, utilising DNA regions within the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (partial cox 1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (p nad 1) mitochondrial (mt) genes, respectively. A molecular-phylogenetic approach was used to analyse the p cox 1 and p nad 1 amplicons derived from genomic DNA samples from individual cysts ( n = 105) from cattle ( n = 3), goats ( n = 5) and sheep ( n = 97). Results revealed five and six distinct electrophoretic profiles for p cox 1 and p nad 1, respectively, using single-strand conformation polymorphism. Direct sequencing of selected amplicons representing each of these profiles defined five haplotypes each for p cox 1 and p nad 1, among all 105 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of individual sequence data for each locus, including a range of well-defined reference sequences, inferred that all isolates of T. multiceps cysts from ruminants in Greece clustered with previously published sequences from different continents. The present study provides a foundation for future large-scale studies on the epidemiology of T. multiceps in ruminants as well as dogs in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenurosis is a debilitating disease caused by the larval stage of Taenia multiceps . The larval stage of T. multiceps appears in two cerebral and non-cerebral forms known as Coenurus cerebralis and Coenurus gaigeri, respectively . This leads to the hypothesis that there are genetic intraspecific variabilities within this species. Molecular analysis in the present study showed that C. cerebralis and C. gaigeri were 100% genetically identical based on exonic region of enolase ( ENO ) gene and both mitochondrial ( cox1 and nad1 ) markers. In addition, an intronic mutation at ENO gene (position: 1171) was detected in the Iranian C. cerebralis . The phylogenetic analyses based on the ENO , cox1 , nad1 sequence data also suggest that T. gaigeri may not be distinct from T. multiceps and there is only one single valid species within T. multiceps . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taenia multiceps is a globally distributed zoonotic cestode, which uses canids as definitive and the ungulates, especially sheep and goats as intermediate hosts. The resulting cerebral and non-cerebral cysts caused by the larval forms of this cestode are commonly known as coenurosis. The location of cyst(s) outside the central nervous system, particularly in goats, suggests that they may be a different strain or genetic variants of T. multiceps or may reflect a different host response to the parasite in the goats. Therefore, conflicting views exist on their specification and based on typological grounds, T. multiceps and Taenia gaigeri have been recognized separately. In the present study, central nervous system, muscles, heart, lungs, kidneys and other visceral organs of the experimentally infected sheep and goats, challenged with T. multiceps eggs originated from the cerebral cysts, were evaluated by histopathological and molecular methods. Although acute and chronic forms of cerebral coenurosis were developed in the experimentally infected sheep, non-cerebral chronic coenurosis was observed in the experimentally infected goats. In addition, sequence analysis using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox1 ) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 ( nad1 ) genes of mitochondrial DNA, showed that all cerebral and non-cerebral samples obtained from experimental infection were 100% identical to each other and their original source. Based on molecular assessment, pathogenesis and morphological criteria the larval forms of T. multiceps were found originated from the same species. Therefore T. gaigeri may not be a distinct species from T. multiceps and T. multiceps is a single valid species within the genus Taenia . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections with the tapeworm Taenia multiceps are problematic for ruminant farming worldwide. Here we develop a novel and rapid method for serodiagnosis of T. multiceps infections via an indirect ELISA (iELISA) that uses a heat shock protein, namely, TmHSP70. We extracted the total RNA of T. multiceps from the protoscoleces of cysts dissected from the brains of infected goats . Subsequently, we successfully amplified, cloned and expressed the TmHSP70 gene in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein (∼34 kDa molecular weight) was recognized by the coenurosis positive serum. Given these initial, robust immunogenic properties for recombinant TmHSP protein, we assessed the ELISA-based serodiagnostic potential of this gene. The indirect ELISA was then optimized to 2.70 μg/well dilution for antigen and 1:80 dilution for serum,while the cut-off value is 0.446. We report that our novel TmHSP ELISA detected T. multiceps sera with a sensitivity of 1:10240 and a specificity of 83.3% (5/6). In a preliminary application, this assay correctly confirmed T. multiceps infection in 30 infected goats, consistent with the clinical examination. This study has revealed that our novel iELISA, which uses the rTmHSP protein, provides a rapid test for diagnosing coenurosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study was conducted to test whether cerebral and non-cerebral forms of Coenurus cerebralis belong to one origin or they are originated from two different tape worms. In the first step of the study, two groups of dogs were orally infected with the protoscoleces of cerebral and non-cerebral cysts and four months after infection, the adult worms were collected and morphologically characterized. Then the obtained eggs from two groups of adult worms were orally inoculated to two groups of goats to trace the predilection sites and also to compare the morphological and molecular characteristics of the larval stage of the parasites. The results showed that, both cerebral and non-cerebral coenuri, produced morphologically similar worms in the experimentally infected dogs. We observed only non-cerebral coenurus cysts in two groups of experimentally infected goats and the morphological characteristics of the cysts of two different groups were also similar. The molecular findings also showed that the cysts of two groups were 100% identical to each other based on the CO1 and nad1 sequences. In conclusion, our morphological and molecular findings reinforce the evidence that Taenia multiceps is the single origin of both cerebral and non-cerebral form of C. cerebralis but in goats, the cysts show more tendency to non-cerebral organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Taenia multiceps is a widely distributed zoonotic tapeworm of canids. The larval stage of the parasite (Coenurus) occurs in sheep, goat and cattle and has been rarely reported from humans. This study investigated genetic variability of two mitochondrial genes in 102 isolates of T. multiceps. Metacestodes were collected from brains and hearts of sheep in Tehran and Qom provinces of Iran. DNA of each isolate was extracted and used for PCR amplification of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) and 12S ribosomal DNA (12S rRNA) genes. All amplicons were sequenced and the sequence data were analyzed using NCBI Blast and BioEdit. Phylogenetic trees and pairwise calculations were obtained by using Mega5 software. In total 7 and 25 representative haplotypes were differentiated for CO1 and 12S rRNA genes, respectively. For CO1 sequences 11 segregation sites within 7 haplotypes were observed. For 12S rRNA sequences a total of 32 segregation sites were observed in 25 haplotypes. CO1 gene displayed lower diversity than 12S rRNA gene with an overall nucleotide variation of 3.0% for CO1 vs. 7.2% for 12S rRNA. Pairwise comparisons among 7 haplotypes in CO1 and 12S rRNA genes showed the level of nucleotide differences 0.3–2.5% and 0.2–4.0%, respectively. A high degree of genetic variation was found in the isolates of T. multiceps in Iran. Additional molecular studies are required on the parasite from other intermediate hosts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coenurosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Taenia multiceps, which affects various ruminants species, particularly sheep and goats, and occasionally humans. In this note, non-cerebral coenurosis in goats with the goal to compare morphological and biomolecular characteristics is focused in order to determine if the non-cerebral specimens should be considered a new specie or a strain of T. multiceps. Three hundred goats slaughtered with macroscopic lesions due to the presence of metacestodes were examined in an abattoir in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in order to evaluate the presence of extra-cerebral coenuri. Forty-eight coenuri were found under the skin, between fasciae of the skeletal muscles, diaphragm and in the abdominal cavities. Morphologically, the examined non-cerebral coenuri recovered showed the same features reported by other authors for Coenurus cerebralis, but their location outside the central nervous system suggests that they may be a different strain or genetic variants of T. multiceps. Nine caprine coenuri were then processed for sequencing of mitochondrial partial COI (396 bp) and ND1 (471 bp) genes indicating that they had a pairwise distance of 1.0–1.3% and 2.4–4.1% compared with parasite’ COI sequences from Italy (Tm1–Tm3 strains) and Erzurum strains of ovine origin, respectively; whereas it had 0.6–1.3% and 0.4–1.1% pairwise distance for ND1. Phylogenetic trees of their ND1 and COI sequences using the maximum composite likelihood method with MEGA showed that these nine parasites recovered in Emirates abattoir could be grouped into a new strain. In conclusion, morphological and molecular characterization of caprine coenurosis from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, shows that the specimens are significantly different from other strains or genotypes in COI sequence, which suggests that they should belong to different genotypes or strains of T. multiceps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Coenurus cerebralis, the metacestode of Taenia multiceps in cattle from Erzurum province located in eastern region of Turkey between November 2009 and April 2010. Five of 1045 brains of cattle (0.47%) were found to be infected with Coenurus cysts. The characteristics and morphology of C. cerebralis were seen in all the cysts. The cyts from three infected cattle were genetically analyzed and confirmed to be T. multiceps metacestodes by NAD1 and COX1 mitochondrial gene sequence analysis. Pairwise comparison between the NAD1 sequences of the T. multiceps isolates from Erzurum and other T. multiceps isolates available in GenBank showed differences ranging from 0.6 to 2.9%, while COX1 sequences showed differences ranging from 0.2 to 2.6%. Considering the two genes, it was seen that all of the three isolates from Erzurum province were in the same group according to phylogenetic analyses. The present findings could provide a stimulus for future studies on the systematic relationships and epidemiology of lesser-known taeniid cestodes in the region, employing mitochondrial sequence data sets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To assess the possible role of the “brain isoenzyme” of creatine kinase (CK-BB) as an early diagnostic tools for cerebral coenurosis we examined sera from 68 sheep (10–13 months old) from a flock on which cerebral coenurosis was endemical. After sampling, sheep were slaughtered, and neurological lesions were classified as purulent-necrotic migratory lesions or cystic lesions. The discriminating power of CK-BB to diagnose cerebral coenurosis was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The prevalence of cerebral coenurosis was 39.7% (27/68). Migratory lesions were found in 23 sheep (85.1%), cystic lesions in 3 sheep (11.2%) and both lesions were found in 1 sheep (3.7%). The most abundant isoenzymes detected both in controls and in sheep with cerebral coenurosis were CK-MM, Macro-CK2 and CK-BB. No significant differences regarding absolute values of CK-BB were found suggesting that CK-BB is not released in serum during cerebral coenurosis. Conversely, CK-MM was significantly lower (P <0.05) in sheep with cerebral coenurosis compared with controls, inducing a relative increase of the percentage of CK-BB (P <0.05). This latter increase had a good discriminating power (area under the ROC curve: 0.71; P <0.000). Although at its best diagnostic performance (CK-BB higher than 24,4%) sensitivity and specificity were moderate (66.7% and 68.3%, respectively), the likelihood ratio of increased CK-BB was 2.10. The increased percentage of CK-BB can thus be useful in the diagnostic approach to suspected cases of cerebral coenurosis, when the pre-test probability of disease is high. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Taenia multiceps is a taeniid cestode that in its adult stage lives in the small intestine of dogs and other canids. In the intermediate hosts, the larval stage of T. multiceps causes coenurosis, a common disease in the CNS of ruminants, which typically leads to the death of the infected animals. Recent research into new methods for control of coenurosis and other taeniid cestode infections such as hydatidosis has identified vaccination as a potentially valuable new tool. In order to test the applicability of vaccination as an approach for control of T. multiceps infection in sheep, a field trial was carried out against natural infection in Sardinian farms (Italy) with recombinant proteins of T. multiceps. The recombinant proteins with Quil A as adjuvant were injected subcutaneously, the first administered to lambs at 10–12 weeks of age and a booster dose given after 2–4 weeks. A total of 632 sheep were selected, belonging to the “replacement quota” of six different farms, of which 424 were used as controls (unvaccinated) and 208 were vaccinated. After a period of more than 40 months from the beginning of the field trial, 33 episodes of cerebral coenurosis occurred in the monitored farms, including 32 cases in control sheep and l case in a vaccinated animal. Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in the number of coenurosis cases in the vaccinated animals (χ 2 =14.08, P <0.001). This is the first successful field test of a practical vaccine against T. multiceps and, considering the high degree of effectiveness achieved, could be a prelude to routine application in field situations of particular risk, such as Sardinia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A total of 499, 679 and 694 proteins from Eg, Th and Tm cyst fluids were identified, respectively. • A large set of differential proteins might be specific biomarkers in sheep. • AgB and 8-kDa glycoprotein proteoforms were unique to specific parasites. • The immunodetection of specific antigens might provide intra vitam serodiagnosis of CE. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) diagnosis by means of serological assays is hampered by the presence of parasites closely related to Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), responsible of the zoonotic disease and with which share cross-reacting antigens. Thus, improvements on the characterization of Echinococcus specific antigens expressed in the larval stage are required, in order to provide useful information for the development of immunological assays for the serodiagnosis of CE in sheep. Here, the proteome of the hydatid cyst fluids (HFs) of Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid fluid, Eg HF) and other ovine parasites cyst fluids (CFs), Taenia hydatigena (Th CF) and Taenia multiceps (Tm CF) were analyzed by a shotgun proteomic approach. Parasite and host protein profiles in the three types of cyst fluids were characterized and compared. Among the identified proteins, differential parasitic markers with serodiagnostic potential, due to their well-known immunoreactivity in human, included Ag5, AgB proteins, 8-kDa glycoproteins, hydatid disease diagnostic antigen P29 and major egg antigen P40. In particular, seven proteoforms of AgB and 8-kDa glycoprotein resulted to be the most promising diagnostic biomarkers, as they might predict CE in ovine and discriminate between different types of parasites. Characterization of the proteome profile of E. granulosus, Taenia hydatigena and Taenia multiceps fluids by a shotgun approach performed on a high resolution mass spectrometer. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Taenia multiceps is a cestode parasite, the larval stage of which encysts in the brain of sheep, goats and cattle causing an often fatal condition. The parasite also causes zoonotic infections in humans. Homologues of the recombinant oncosphere vaccine antigens from Taenia ovis and other Taenia species were identified in T. multiceps. Sequencing of the associated T. multiceps genes and cloning of the encoding mRNA has revealed conserved features in the genes and proteins. The T. multiceps oncosphere proteins, designated Tm16 and Tm18, contain a predicted secretory signal and fibronectin type III domain. The recombinant Tm16 and Tm18 proteins were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as fusion proteins with GST. The antigens, formulated with Quil A adjuvant, were tested in a vaccine trial in sheep. The antigens stimulated immunity in sheep against challenge infection with T. multiceps eggs. Five of nine control sheep died due to a challenge infection with T. multiceps whereas none of 20 vaccinated animals died as a result of the parasite challenge (P =0.001). In addition, vaccination with the Tm16 protein, or Tm16 plus Tm18, induced significant protection against the number of parasites encysting in the brain as a result of the challenge infection (P =0.023, P =0.015, respectively). No clear relationship was apparent between the level of specific serum antibody in vaccinated animals and either the presence or absence of parasites or the number of parasites that occurred in some of the vaccinated animals. We believe this study is the first description of recombinant vaccine-related investigations for T. multiceps. The recombinant oncosphere antigens identified may allow development of effective vaccination strategies against T. multiceps infection in sheep. They raise the potential for the development of a combined vaccine with the Echinococcus granulosus EG95 antigen for prevention of T. multiceps as well as preventing the transmission of cystic hydatid disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The epidemiological status of hydatidosis, cysticercosis, and gid in sheep and the production practices of sheep farmers that increase the risk of exposure of sheep to infecting agents of these diseases were investigated in Thessaly, central Greece during 2002–2006. A total of 700 hoggets (sheep up to the age of 1 year) and 1500 adult sheep were examined randomly at an abattoir survey and the prevalences of hydatidosis and cysticercosis were found 39.32% and 29.41%, respectively. Hoggets had significantly lower prevalences of hydatidosis and cysticercosis compared to adult sheep (p <0.001). The distribution of parasitic cysts showed an overdispersion pattern mostly in the hogget population. The proportion of fertile hydatid cysts was significantly higher in hoggets compared to adult sheep (p <0.001). A cohort of 74 sheep flocks was observed during the same period in a prospective survey to assess the incidence of gid. A total of 57 sheep belonging to 15 flocks (20.27% of investigated flocks) developed clinical signs of gid at an annual rate of 11.40±4.77 (95% C.I.). In the infected flocks there were 3.80±0.92 (95% C.I.) gid cases per flock. The mean age of onset of clinical signs for all sheep was 11.86±1.33 months (95% C.I.) (range 5–22 months) while for hoggets was 8.48±0.73 (95% C.I.) (range 5–12 months) and for adult sheep 17.23±1.42 (95% C.I.) (range 13–22 months). A significant difference was observed in the prevalence of unilateral blindness between hoggets (31.42%) and adult sheep (4.54%) (p <0.05). The most common production practices identified in a questionnaire survey of sheep farmers that may increase the risk of exposure of sheep to hydatidosis, cysticercosis, and gid were the improper disposal of dead animals, the access of farm dogs to offal of slaughtered sheep, the carelessness of farmers to treat farm dogs with anthelmintics, and the grazing of flocks in fields where stray dogs have free access. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coenurosis is a rare infection caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm, Taenia multiceps (also referred to as Coenurus cerebralis), a platyhelminth belonging to class Cestoda. The adults of Taenia spp. live in the intestines of dogs and other canines and discharge eggs in their feces, which are then ingested by grazing animals, usually sheep. Oncospheres escape from the eggs and form coenuri in various tissues, localization in the central nervous system (CNS) of sheep causes coenurosis or the “staggers.” In this survey, antihelminthic agents (albendazole, praziquantel, fenbendazole) were tested for their effectiveness in treating coenurosis in naturally infected sheep which were given different doses of these agents. The autopsy revealed degeneration (calcification) of the cysts in the brains of treated animals; while the cysts in the untreated sheep were viable. This study showed that the best results were obtained by using albendazole at a dosage of 25mg/kg and composed fenbendazole+praziquantel at a dose of 0.5g for each affected lamb, along with praziquantel at a dose of 100mg/kg. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coenurus cerebralis infection has been observed as a common and worldwide problem of small ruminants. Dog being definitive host of Taenia multiceps plays an important role in spreading the disease. Occurrence of coenurosis cysts in brain, spinal cord and in other tissues have been noticed in wide range of animals like sheep, goats, cattle, horse, buffalo, camel and yak including some wild animals. Prevalence of Coenurus cysts ranged from 1.3 to 9.8% in some herds leading to mortality (1.14–24.61%) and culling of animals to the extent of 37.4%. The cysts showed much variation in respect of their locations and size. Occurrence of coenurosis was observed to be age related, however, early age seemed to be refractory as 90% cases were reported in adult sheep and goats. Clinical syndrome presented vivid types of nervous symptoms with little or no change in haematological and biochemical profile. Treatment of coenurosis in sheep and goats ranged from chemotherapy using albendazole, niclosamide and praziquintal showing little or no effect, to successful surgical removal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

From March 1996 to February 1997, slaughtered-sheeps’ heads were examined for the metacestode of Taenia multiceps. Out of 451 sheep heads, only 12 (3%) were infested. All cysts but one were in the age group 0.5–2.5 years old, with prevalence of 10% (11 of 108). Eleven of 12 infested heads were found during the spring and autumn seasons.Out of 95 flocks involved in questionnaire survey unrelated to the abattoir survey, all the farmers reported the existence of the clinical signs known for coenurosis and described it in locally known names and diseases. Twenty-five of them had recent cases that were diagnosed by the veterinarian as coenurosis cases. Each flock reported one or two cases at the time of survey. A variety of clinical signs were reported from these cases (n=42). These included circling (86%), head pressing (52%), blindness (29%) and paresis (40%). Coenurosis is a sheep-health problem and an important cause of sheep culling in Jordan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • The study was designed to determine the effectiveness of r-TmHSP70 antigen in the serodiagnosis of sheep coenurosis. • Sensitivity and specificity (Se/Sp) of the r-TmHSP70 antigen were 100 % in Western blot. • The Se/Sp values of the r-TmHSP70 were 66.6 % and 52.6 %, respectively in ELISA. • 567 (46.97 %) of the 1207 sera samples analyzed were found to be positive by ELISA. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the recombinant protein expressed by the T. multiceps HSP70 gene in the immunodiagnosis of sheep coenurosis. Specific primers were designed to amplify the gene encoding HSP70 from the whole genome sequence of T. multiceps , mRNA was isolated from C. cerebralis cysts obtained from an infected sheep's brain, and then, cDNA was isolated. The gene region related to the designed primers was amplified by PCR, and the obtained product was cloned and expressed. The specificity of the recombinant protein purified afterwards was demonstrated by Western Blot using known positive and negative sheep sera. Additionally, the efficiency of the recombinant protein in ELISA was determined with sera collected from 1207 sheep. Finally, the sensitivity and specificity values ​of the recombinant TmHSP70 antigen in the Western Blot were 100 %, while the sensitivity and specificity rates of the ELISA were 66.6 % and 52.6 %, respectively. At the same time, 567 (46.97 %) of the 1207 analyzed serum samples were found to be positive by ELISA. In conclusion, the Western Blot technique had a higher quality than ELISA in detecting the TmHSP70 antigen for the serodiagnosis of sheep coenurosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]