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Background: Coenurosis is caused by coenurus, the metacestode of Taenia multiceps, which mainly parasitizes the brain and spinal cord of cattle, sheep and goats. To date, no widely-approved methods are available to identify early coenurus infection. Methods: In this study, we identified a full-length cDNA that encodes GP50 (TmGP50) from the transcriptome of T. multiceps, and then cloned and expressed in E. coli. The native proteins in adult stage and coenurus were located via immunofluorescence assays, while the potential of recombinant TmGP50 protein (rTmGP50) for indirect ELISA-based serodiagnostics was assessed using native goat sera. In addition, we orally infected 20 goats with mature T. multiceps eggs. Praziquantel (10%) was given to 10 of the goats 45 days post-infection (p.i.). Blood samples were collected for 17 weeks p.i. from the 20 goats and anti-rTmGP50 antibodies were evaluated using the indirect ELISA established here. Results: The TmGP50 contains an 897 bp open reading frame, in which signal sequence resides in 1 ~ 48 sites and mature polypeptide consists of 282 amino acid residues. Immunofluorescence staining showed that native TmGP50 was localized to the microthrix and parenchymatous zone of the adult parasite and coenurus, and the coenurus cystic wall. The indirect ELISA based on rTmGP50 exhibited a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 92.6% when detecting GP50 antibodies in sera of naturally infected goats and sheep. In goats experimentally infected with T. multiceps, anti-TmGP50 antibody was detectable from 2 to 17 weeks p.i. in the control group, while the antibody fell below the cut-off value about 3 weeks after praziquantel treatment. Conclusion: Our results indicate that recombinant TmGP50 is a suitable early diagnostic antigen for coenurus infection in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenurosis caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of Taenia multiceps, particularly affects sheep and goats. In this case report, two coenurus cysts were detected under the lumbar spinal cord (outside the CNS) in a goat. We first described cysts in the macro- and micro-morphological examination. The cysts were identified as C. cerebralis on the basis of the arrangement of scolices and the number and size of hooks in the scolices. The morphology of the larval cyst was similar to that of T. multiceps: the scolices had four suckers and a rostellum with a double crown of hooks. The hooks and hooklets were 178 and 132 µm in length, respectively. T. gaigeri may be synonymous with T. multiceps. This may reflect a different host response to the parasite in goats. The difficulty of making a species identification in C. cerebralis or C. gaigeri based on their morphology is discussed.

A total of 75 sheep and goats from apparently healthy and from clinically affected flocks were examined for Coenurus cerebralis cysts from different localities in Egypt. Of 25 animals examined from clinically diseased sheep and goats, 25 (100%) revealed the presence of infestation with one to four coenuri in the brain. The sites of predilection were the left hemisphere (48%), followed by the right hemisphere (40%) and the cerebellum (12%). There was no apparent effect of the age of sheep and goats on susceptibility to infestation with C. cerebralis. Another 50 animals from apparently healthy sheep and goat herds presented no C. cerebralis cysts. The cysts from infested sheep could infest newborn puppies experimentally, with a prepatent period of 60 days post infestation. A total of 15 immature worms that were recovered from one puppy did not reach patency until 105 days post infestation with C. cerebralis cyst scolices. Pathological changes in C. cerebralis-infested sheep brain revealed parasitic elements, demyelinated nerve tracts, hyperaemic blood vessels with round cell infiltration, encephalomalacia with round cell infiltration and palisading macrophages and giant cells, as well as focal replacement of the brain parenchyma with caseated and calcified materials. The morphological characteristics of both the larval stage from sheep and goats and adult worms of Taenia multiceps from experimentally infested dogs are described. The results conclude that C. cerebralis is one of the principal causes of nervous manifestations of coenurosis in clinically diseased sheep and goats in Egypt.

Brain infestation caused by the metacestode of Taenia multiceps is a rare phenomenon in humans, but is fairly common among sheep in Mediterranean countries. No more than 150 human cases have been reported. In this present study, we report an unusual case of a huge intra-parenchymal cyst in a four-year-old girl caused by T. multiceps. No cross-reactivity between Echinococcus granulosus and T. multiceps antigens was demonstrated. After surgical removal of the cyst, followed by chemotherapeutic treatment with albendazole combined with praziquantel, the child recovered completely.

Neste trabalho são descritos casos de doença neurológica causada por Coenurus cerebralis em 16 ovinos provenientes de nove propriedades rurais do Rio Grande do Sul. Os casos ocorreram entre janeiro de 1990 e dezembro de 2006. A evolução clínica variou de 30-90 dias e os ovinos afetados apresentavam depressão (9/16), isolamento do rebanho (8/16), andar cambaleante (7/16), cegueira (4/16), desvio da cabeça (3/16), incoordenação (3/16), movimentos de pedalagem (2/16), quedas (2/16), andar em círculos, deficiência proprioceptiva nos membros torácicos e pélvicos, estrabismo, midríase, opistótono, tremores e rigidez dos membros (1/16 cada). Os achados macroscópicos foram restritos ao sistema nervoso central e caracterizados por cistos de 2 a 9cm de diâmetro preenchidos por líquido translúcido e revestidos por fina membrana. Na parte interna da membrana, havia numerosas estruturas levemente alongadas e brancas de aproximadamente 1mm de diâmetro (escólices). Na maioria dos ovinos, os cistos eram localizados no telencéfalo (12/16); em três, os cistos estavam no cerebelo e em um ovino havia um cisto no cerebelo e um na medula espinhal. Em todos os casos havia acentuada compressão e deslocamento do tecido nervoso adjacente aos cistos. Histologicamente, os cistos parasitários eram formados por dupla membrana fracamente eosinofílica da qual evaginavam múltiplos escólices esféricos acelomados. Adjacente à parede da vesícula eram observadas sucessivas camadas compostas por uma zona de necrose e mineralização, circundadas por infiltrado inflamatório composto por macrófagos epitelióides e células gigantes multinucleadas, com uma cápsula externa de tecido fibrovascular e infiltrado inflamatório linfoistioplasmocitário perivascular. Adicionalmente, havia compressão e atrofia das substâncias branca e cinzenta adjacentes. O diagnóstico de cenurose foi realizado com base nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e macroscópicos, e confirmado pela histopatologia.Sixteen cases of neurologic disease caused by Coenurus cerebralis occurring in sheep from nine farms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from January 1990 to December 2006, are described. Clinical courses varied from 30 to 90 days and affected sheep developed depression (9/16), isolation from the herd (8/16), staggering (7/16), blindness (4/16), head tilt (3/16), incoordination (3/16), paddling (2/16), falls (2/16), circling, proprioceptive deficits in fore and hindlimbs, strabismus, mydriasis, opisthotonus, trembling and rigidity of the limbs (1/16 each one). Macroscopic findings were restricted to central nervous system and consisted of 2 to 9cm fluid filled cysts with numerous slightly elongated 1 mm white scolices attached to the inner wall surface of the capsule. Cysts were located in the telencephalon (12/16); in the cerebellum (3 sheep); and in the cerebellum and spinal cord (1 sheep). All cases showed severe compression and displacement of the adjacent nervous tissue. Histologically, the cyst walls were characterized by a thin walled eosinophilic vesicle in which evaginated multiple spherical acelomated scolices. The cyst wall was surrounded by successive layers consisting of an internal necrotic and mineralized band, a layer of epithelioid macrophages with abundant number of multinucleated giant cell and an external fibrovascular capsule with perivascular lymphohistioplasmacytic infiltrate. Adjacent white and gray matter were compressed and atrophied. The diagnosis was based on epidemiologic, clinical and pathologic findings and confirmed by histopathology.

This survey describes the evolution in vivo of Coenurus cerebralis in small ruminants. At presentation, neurological signs and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) features were suggestive of multifocal or diffuse inflammatory reaction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) captured the transition between the invasive and quiescent phase of the infection, revealing the concurrent presence of meningitis and small cysts. During the quiescent phase, in all animals, neurological symptoms disappeared, and cerebrospinal fluid was unremarkable while cysts grew progressively. Subsequently, the onset of neurological symptoms coincided with MRI signs of diffuse or localized increase of intracranial pressure, as confirmed by direct intracranial pressure measuring. All the animals had an excellent post-surgical recovery. This is the first report describing the evolution of coenurosis in vivo. Sequential imaging allowed describing interesting such as the death of some coenuri and different parasite growth rate in the same host. [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]

Background: Taenia multiceps is a cestode parasite with its larval stage(metacestode), Coenurus cerebralis, mainly encysts in the central nervous system of sheep and other livestock causing cerebralis coenurosis. Since treatment of coenurosis with chemotherapy showed little effect and surgical removal of cysts is not advisable in field conditions, vaccination is useful to control coenurosis. Previous study indicated that immunization with T. multiceps metacestode antigens could induce protection in sheep against coenurosis, so the aim of this study was to identifyT. multiceps metacestode antigens in order to find potential vaccine development candidates for further study. Methods: The protein extracts from the larval T. multiceps were analyzed by twodimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and characterized by mass spectrometry. Results: A total of 150 protein spots were detected with isoelectric point (pI) value from 4.97 to 9.65 and molecular weight from 14 to 98 kDa. Twenty-two protein identities were determined by mass spectrometry and 15 unique proteins were obtained.Functional annotation revealed that some of these proteins are involved in catalytic activity, binding, metabolic, cellular process and stress response. Among these molecules are antioxidant proteins (peroxiredoxin and glutathione-S-transferase),glycolytic enzymes (malate dehydrogenase and enolase), proteins with chaperone activity (heat shock protein 70 and small heat shock protein), and structural proteins (actin, actin modulator protein and paramyosin). Conclusion: The identification of T. multiceps metacestode protein will provide valuable information to elucidate their specific roles in the parasitism and screen new targets for vaccine development

Cerebral coenurosis is the intermediary larval stage of Taenia multiceps, which affects intermediate hosts, particularly sheep and goats. In this report, gross and microscopic features of three scarce natural coenurosis cases, a oneyear-old ram and two lambs of 7 month old from a flock are explained. Atnecropsy, numerous small cysts measuring 5 to 10 mm in diameter were observed on both cerebrum and cerebellum surfaces, likewise multiple deep parts of which. In histopathological examination of the neural tissue, severe tissue destruction, a distinct layer of Gitter cells formation around the cysts,neuronophagia, gliosis and perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes were observed. In this early stage of parasite life cycle, larval migration and destruction of tissue, also aggregation of glial cells around the cysts cause a loose connection between cysts and neural tissue.

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]

Prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis prevalence was assessed in sheep and goats at three slaughter slabs in Ngorongoro district, Tanzania. Predisposing factors were also determined by using a structured questionnaire. Between January 2013 and April 2013, a total of 180 heads (90 sheep and 90 goats) were collected and examined for the presences of C. cerebralis cysts. Out of 180 heads examined, 80 were found to be infected with C. cerebralis. Lack of knowledge in the community on how coenurosis occurs, free access of dogs to the carcasses/offal of small ruminants and inadequate animal health services for dogs especially worm control were major factors which contribute to persistence of coenurosis. This study, in Ngorongoro district, reports for the first time the occurrence and prevalence of coenurosis in slaughtered sheep and goats due to Taenia multiceps metacestode ( C. cerebralis). It is recommended that more studies are undertaken in order to pave the way for developing preliminary coenurosis control guidelines and for sign posting the direction for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purposes of the present study were morphometric characteri-zation of rostellar hooks of Taenia multiceps and to investigate the association of hook length variation and the variability within two mitochondrial genes of sheep isolates of the parasite. Methods: Up to 4500 sheep brains were examined for the presence of C. cerebralis. Biometric characters based on the larval rostellar hook size were measured for each individual isolate. Representative mitochondrial CO1 and 12S rRNA gene se-quences for each of the isolates were obtained from NCBI GenBank. Morphomet-ric and genetic data were analyzed using cluster analysis, Interclass Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) and random effects model. Results: One hundred and fourteen sheep (2.5%) were found infected with the coenuri. The minimum and maximum number of scoleces per cyst was 40 and 550 respectively. Each scolex contained 22–27 hooks arranged in two rows of large and small hooks. The average total length of the large and small hooks was 158.9 and 112.1 μm, respectively. Using ICC, statistically significant clusters of different hook sizes were identified within the isolates. The length of the large and small hooks was significantly associated with the variability in mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Conclusion: Taenia multiceps, is a relatively important zoonotic infection in Iranian sheep with the prevalence rate of 2.5%. Hook length analysis revealed statistically significant difference among individual isolates. Associations between the rostellar hook length and variability in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA was documented.

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]

Sheep and goats serve as intermediate hosts for the canine tapeworm Taenia multiceps. The cysts produced by the intermediate stage of parasite are usually found in the cerebral hemispheres of small ruminants, and the resulting disease is commonly known as coenurosis. Coenurosis is clinically manifested in the form of various nervous symptoms, depending on the exact location of the cyst. The variety of neurological symptoms contributes to the complexity of clinical diagnosis and reinforces the need for a more specific and acceptable diagnostic approach. We demonstrated here, for the first time, that the T. multiceps DNA is present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the infected sheep and goats. In addition, the molecular genetic marker of the mitochondrial DNA was applied phylogenetically to show that our isolates together with other T. multiceps strains comprised a monophyletic group that is a sister to Taenia krabbei. Pairwise comparison between the cox1 sequences of our study and other T. multiceps genotypes existing in the GenBank showed similarity ranging from 98 to 100 %. Accordingly, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used for amplification of DNA of the parasite originated from the CSF and provides a valuable method for accurate identification of coenurosis cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shepherd and stray dogs are thought to represent the primary definitive hosts of Coenurosis by Taenia multiceps, due to their feeding habits which translate into high chances of coming into contact with infected intermediate hosts. Nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of coenurosis. In fact a knowledge gap exists on the role played by red foxes in the epidemiology of Taenia multiceps and the capability of this parasite to produce fertile and viable eggs in this wild canid, i.e. on the occurrence of a sylvatic cycle. This study investigates the role of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of T. multiceps and related metacestodoses. Methods: The small intestine of 63 red foxes was macroscopically examined for the presence of cestodes. Adult parasites were identified morphologically as being T. multiceps. Tapeworm eggs were counted and stored at 4 °C in physiological saline solution prior to experimental infection of four sheep and one goat. Sheep were inoculated orally on Day 0 with 3000 (sheep 1), 5000 (sheep 2 and 3) or 7000 eggs (sheep 4), while the goat was infected with 5000 eggs of T. multiceps. The animals were followed-up regularly by MRI and underwent surgical treatment between days 180 to day 240 post infection. Collected coenuri were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Results: A total of 6.3 % of red foxes were found infected with T. multiceps and the eggs obtained from the worms were determined to have a viability of 45.4 %. Two of the challenged sheep and the goat developed disease compatible with T. multiceps. Morphometrical features of the cysts were consistent with those of T. multiceps; nucleotide amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial genes (i.e., cox1 and Nd1) from the metacestode material confirmed the identification. Conclusions: The present study is the first to provide evidence of the role of the red fox as a competent definitive host for T. multiceps, thus changing the epidemiological scenarios of infections by this cestode. [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]

Cerebral coenurosis is the intermediary larval stage of Taenia multiceps, which affects intermediate hosts, particularly sheep and goats. In this report, gross and microscopic features of three scarce natural coenurosis cases, a oneyear- old ram and two lambs of 7 month old from a flock are explained. At necropsy, numerous small cysts measuring 5 to 10 mm in diameter were observed on both cerebrum and cerebellum surfaces, likewise multiple deep parts of which. In histopathological examination of the neural tissue, severe tissue destruction, a distinct layer of Gitter cells formation around the cysts, neuronophagia, gliosis and perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes were observed. In this early stage of parasite life cycle, larval migration and destruction of tissue, also aggregation of glial cells around the cysts cause a loose connection between cysts and neural tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of two wild adult Nubian ibex, who were admitted to the Hebrew University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for the alerted mental activity, head tilt, and pathologic nystagmus. Topics discussed include diagnosis of brain cyst using computed tomography (CT), removal of the cysts, and cysts of Taenia multiceps coenurus in parasitologic examination. Also mentioned are epidemiology of coenurosis and surgical and post-surgery procedures.

The article discusses the helminth parasites that infect the kit fox living in New Mexico. The study was done on 53 foxes gathered from 9 counties in New Mexico within 1996 to 1998, where 47 of them were found to be living with parasites. Various species were discovered on the foxes including the cestode Dipylidium caninum, nematode Toxocara canis, and nematode Toxocara cati.

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]

Background: Worldwide, but especially in developing countries, coenurosis of sheep and other livestock is caused by Taenia multiceps larvae, and zoonotic infections occur in humans. Infections frequently lead to host death, resulting in huge socioeconomic losses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of a large number of animal genes by imperfectly binding target mRNAs. To date, there have been no reports of miRNAs in T. multiceps. Results: In this study, we obtained 12.8 million high quality raw reads from adult T. multiceps small RNA library using Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 796 conserved miRNA families (containing 1,006 miRNAs) from 170,888 unique miRNAs were characterized using miRBase (Release 17.0). Here, we selected three conserved miRNA/miRNA" (antisense strand) duplexes at random and amplified their corresponding precursors using a PCR-based method. Furthermore, 20 candidate novel miRNA precursors were verified by genomic PCR. Among these, six corresponding T. multiceps miRNAs are considered specific for Taeniidae because no homologs were found in other species annotated in miRBase. In addition, 181,077 target sites within T. multiceps transcriptome were predicted for 20 candidate newly miRNAs. Conclusions: Our large-scale investigation of miRNAs in adult T. multiceps provides a substantial platform for improving our understanding of the molecular regulation of T. multiceps and other cestodes development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purposes of the present study were morphometric characterization of rostellar hooks of Taenia multiceps and to investigate the association of hook length variation and the variability within two mitochondrial genes of sheep isolates of the parasite. Methods: Up to 4500 sheep brains were examined for the presence of C. cerebralis. Biometric characters based on the larval rostellar hook size were measured for each individual isolate. Representative mitochondrial CO1 and 12S rRNA gene sequences for each of the isolates were obtained from NCBI GenBank. Morphometric and genetic data were analyzed using cluster analysis, Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and random effects model. Results: One hundred and fourteen sheep (2.5%) were found infected with the coenuri. The minimum and maximum number of scoleces per cyst was 40 and 550 respectively. Each scolex contained 22-27 hooks arranged in two rows of large and small hooks. The average total length of the large and small hooks was 158.9 and 112.1 μm, respectively. Using ICC, statistically significant clusters of different hook sizes were identified within the isolates. The length of the large and small hooks was significantly associated with the variability in mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Conclusion: Taenia multiceps, is a relatively important zoonotic infection in Iranian sheep with the prevalence rate of 2.5%. Hook length analysis revealed statistically significant difference among individual isolates. Associations between the rostellar hook length and variability in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA was documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 16 Taenia multiceps isolates collected from naturally infected sheep or goats in Gansu Province, China were characterized by sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. The complete cox1 gene was amplified for individual T. multiceps isolates by PCR, ligated to pMD18T vector, and sequenced. Sequence analysis indicated that out of 16 T. multiceps isolates 10 unique cox1 gene sequences of 1,623 bp were obtained with sequence variation of 0.12-0.68%. The results showed that the cox1 gene sequences were highly conserved among the examined T. multiceps isolates. However, they were quite different from those of the other Taenia species. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete cox1 gene sequences revealed that T. multiceps isolates were composed of 3 genotypes and distinguished from the other Taenia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Coenurosis caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of Taenia multiceps, particularly affects sheep and goats. In this case report, two coenurus cysts were detected under the lumbar spinal cord (outside the CNS) in a goat. We first described cysts in the macro- and micro-morphological examination. The cysts were identified as C. cerebralis on the basis of the arrangement of scolices and the number and size of hooks in the scolices. The morphology of the larval cyst was similar to that of T. multiceps: the scolices had four suckers and a rostellum with a double crown of hooks. The hooks and hooklets were 178 and 132 µm in length, respectively. T. gaigeri may be synonymous with T. multiceps. This may reflect a different host response to the parasite in goats. The difficulty of making a species identification in C. cerebralis or C. gaigeri based on their morphology is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial (mt) genome sequences provide useful markers for investigating population genetic structures, systematics and phylogenetics of organisms. Although Taenia multiceps, T. hydatigena, and T. taeniaeformis are common taeniid tapeworms of ruminants, pigs, dogs, or cats, causing significant economic losses, no published study on their mt genomes is available. The complete mt genomes of T. multiceps, T. hydatigena, and T. taeniaeformis were amplified in two overlapping fragments and then sequenced. The sizes of the entire mt genome were 13700 bp for T. multiceps, 13489 bp for T. hydatigena, and 13647 bp for T. taeniaeformis. Each of the three genomes contains 36 genes, consisting of 12 genes for proteins, 2 genes for rRNA, and 22 genes for tRNA, which are the same as the mt genomes of all other cestode species studied to date. All genes are transcribed in the same direction and have a nucleotide composition high in A and T. The contents of A+T of the complete genomes are 71.3% for T. multiceps, 70.8% for T. hydatigena, and 73.0% for T. taeniaeformis. The AT bias had a significant effect on both the codon usage pattern and amino acid composition of proteins. T. multiceps and T. hydatigena had two noncoding regions, but T. taeniaeformis had only one. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes revealed that T. multiceps, T. hydatigena, and T. taeniaeformis were more closely related to the other members of the Taenia genus, consistent with results of previous morphological and molecular studies. The present study determined the complete mt genome sequences for three Taenia species of animal and human health significance, providing useful markers for studying the systematics, population genetics, and molecular epidemiology of these cestode parasites of animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]