[First discovery of Taenia saginata asiatica infection in Yunnan province].

AIM: To investigate the aetiology, species and epidemiological factors of Taenia infection in a pilot area of Lanping County, Yunnan Province. METHODS: Two patients with taeniasis were treated with antiscolex capsule and praziquantel, respectively. Five local weaning pigs free from tapeworm infection were fed with gravid proglottids obtained from the patients. After 2-3 months, the pigs were necropsied to examine cysticerci. In addition, one pig naturally infected with Taenia was treated as well. RESULTS: Based on morphological characteristics of the scolex and gravid proglottid of four tapeworms obtained from the patients, the worms were similar to T. saginata. 23 cysticerci recovered from two experimentally infected pigs were found in the livers, omentum majus and mesenterium, and 3 cysticerci were found in the liver and omentum majus in a naturally infected pig as well. The protoscolex of mature Cysticercus had two rows of rudimentary hooklets, one rostellum and four acetabula resembling to C. cellulosae. According to morphological characteristics and the location of cysticerci, the tapeworm was identified as Taenia saginata asiatia. CONCLUSION: T. saginata asiatica infection was first reported in Yunnan Province.