A new focus of Taenia asiatica taeniasis in North Sumatra, Indonesia: Molecular confirmation and prevalence

In the Samosir Island of North Sumatra, Indonesia, the prevalence of taeniasis caused by Taenia asiatica was reported as 2.2 %–20.7 % during 1972–2005. In 2014, another T. asiatica-endemic area was confirmed in the Silau Kahean sub-district of Simalungun District, which is geographically distant from Samosir Island. This study was conducted in the Raya Kahean sub-district of Simalungun District adjacent to the Silau Kahean sub-district in September 2023. The aim was to identify a new T. asiatica-endemic area based on molecular confirmation in addition to determining the prevalence of taeniasis. Men aged ≥18 years and palm plantation male farmers showed a higher prevalence of taeniasis, with an overall prevalence of 21.7 % (93/428). A total of 14 proglottids obtained from 14 tapeworm carriers were identified as T. asiatica by COX1-multiplex PCR analysis, and a new T. asiatica-endemic area was detected in the Raya Kahean sub-district. Genetic analyses of COX1 and pold revealed that T. asiatica from North Sumatra has a poor genetic diversity and is a descendant of the hybrids of T. asiatica and T. saginata. Infections were associated with a habitual consumption of raw pig and wild boar livers. Basic sanitary education, improvement of traditional food habits, and implementation of sentinel surveillance and treatment for tapeworm carriers in endemic areas are required to prevent and control this parasitic disease.