ABSTRACT AND KEYWORDS
Abstract
Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) and T. saginata (beef tapeworm) cysticercosis
(CC)/taeniosis are zoonoses of public health importance, with significant economic
impacts on the health and meat (pork and beef) sectors within and outside the EU.
Despite increased research efforts, an important number of gaps remain. For more
than one third of the member states, data on occurrence of porcine/bovine/human CC
and taeniosis are missing. Many questions remain on transmission dynamics,
infection development/course and clinical manifestations. An improved knowledge on
host-parasite interactions will create opportunities for new diagnostic targets, and
vaccine candidates. The main objective of this Action is to build a strong, extensive,
multi-disciplinary scientific network to induce sustainable collaborations with the aim
to advance knowledge and understanding of these zoonotic disease complexes.
Specific objectives include the development of innovative diagnostic and costefficient control tools, assessments of disease burden and economic impact, as well as
the development of harmonized reporting and management procedures. IntraEuropean collaboration is essential to stop the development of these diseases within
the EU. The Action is aimed at both European economical/societal needs and
scientific/technological advances.
Start of the Action: 26/11/2013
End of the Action: 25/11/2017
Keywords: Taeniosis, (neuro)cysticercosis, zoonoses, public health/veterinary
public health and economic impact, diagnosis/ prevention and control
BACKGROUND
General background
Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) and Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) are two
zoonotic Taenia species, with respectively, pigs and cattle as intermediate hosts. The
adult tapeworm lodges in the intestines of the human final host (taeniosis) and
releases eggs. The intermediate host acquires the infection by ingestion of these
infective eggs via infected stool or environmental/ food/ water contamination.
Ingested eggs develop into metacestode larvae (cysticerci, cysticercosis) in the
muscles, subcutaneous tissue, eyes and central nervous system. The human final host
gets infected by consumption of raw/undercooked beef/pork, containing viable
cysticerci.
Taeniosis has very little clinical implications. An important difference
between T. saginata and T. solium is that for the latter human can act as a dead end
intermediate host, and acquire cysticercosis upon accidental ingestion of eggs. In
humans, cysticerci have a tendency to settle in the central nervous system, causing
neurocysticercosis (NCC). The latter infection may cause severe neurological
disorders, the most common being seizures, epilepsy and chronic headache. NCC is
estimated to be responsible for 30% of cases of acquired epilepsy in endemic areas.
This neglected foodborne parasitic zoonosis, identified by WHO, affects mostly
developing countries, is associated with poverty, lack of sanitation and free-range pig
management. Bovine and porcine cysticercosis are asymptomatic but are responsible
for meat deterioration and carcass condemnation. Recent studies have demonstrated
that both T. saginata and T. solium have a considerable economic and public health
impact. In Europe only, millions of euros are lost yearly due to carcass condemnation,
control and prevention of bovine cysticercosis. Similarly, recent studies conducted in
endemic areas have shown that porcine and human cysticercosis are responsible of
important economic and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) losses. T. solium
has been ranked first on the global scale of foodborne parasites by FAO/WHO.
However, human, porcine and bovine cysticercosis remain neglected diseases, their
prevalences underestimated due to lack of accurate diagnostic tools; and there is lack
of knowledge on the diseases and lack of interest from pharmaceutical companies.
INSERT FIGURE LIFE CYCLE:
o
Taenia solium
o
o
Neurocysticercosis
o
o
Taeniosis
o
courtesy PD Dr Dr AS Winkler
o
o
Human Cysticercosis
o
Taenia saginata
Bovine/
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Taenia solium
porcine Cysticercosis
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Current state of knowledge
Epidemiology, diagnosis and burden of T. solium and T. saginata
There is a lack of knowledge on taeniosis and cysticercosis in both industrialised
and developing countries. Prevalence data on animal and human cysticercosis
and on taeniosis are available but their accuracy is questioned mainly because of
imperfect diagnostic tests leading to underestimations of the true prevalence of
the diseases. For more than one third of the member states, data on occurrence
of porcine/bovine CC and taeniosis are missing. In addition, studies on the
incidence and transmission dynamics of the parasites are inexistent. Prevalence
of taeniosis ranges between 0.1 and 15% depending on the region and on the
diagnostic method used. Bovine, porcine and human cysticercosis prevalence
varies from 0.03 to 80%, from 0.6 to 60% and from 1.3 to 40%, respectively.
T. solium was eradicated in the Europe through meat inspection (pork),
improved sanitation and modern pig husbandry conditions (housed pigs with no
outside access). However, like in the US an increasing number of cases is
detected in the Europe, probably due to increased migration (immigration and
increased travel to endemic areas). Autochthonous and/or imported cases of
NCC have been detected in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and several
East European countries. In 2000, NCC has been described to be endemic in
north Portugal and the western provinces of Spain. Specifically for Portugal, an
evolution from autochthonous clinical cases towards imported cases has been
observed. NCC cases in Western Europe between 1970 and 2011 have been
recently described in a study, which determined that immigrants accounted for
53% of the cases, European travellers for 8% and non-traveller Europeans for
39%. Different clinical patterns were observed between the non-traveller and
other groups. It is important to realize that; human cysticercosis is acquired by
human-to-human transmission (a tapeworm carrier, mostly asymptomatic, will
infect other people), without a need for the pig intermediate host; and that the
number of NCC cases described probably represents only the tip of the iceberg.
There is an urgent need to study and control the increased number of NCC cases
now, before it turns into a serious public health problem. The latter has occurred
in the US (Southwest), which was almost NCC free decades ago, but is now highly
endemic. To date, European countries do not have any surveillance programme
for the disease.
As described above, the public health impact of T. saginata is more limited, as
people cannot develop T. saginata cysticercosis. Nevertheless, food safety is
essential in our society and acquiring a tapeworm of 10 meters after
consumption of raw or undercooked infected beef is unacceptable. Also, the
economic impact of medical consultations, diagnostic tests and taenicidal
products should not be underestimated. Besides the public health impact, bovine
cysticercosis causes significant economic losses to the farmers and meat sector.
According to the EU legislation, bovine cysticercosis is monitored in the EU
under Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 (currently under review), which describes
the meat inspection requirements. Presently, diagnosis is only made by meat
inspection (which has a sensitivity of less than 15%) at the abattoir, where an
infected carcass leads to degradation of the carcass value (50% price reduction
due to the freezing treatment to inactivate the cysticerci) or, in case of heavy
infections, total condemnation. Many farmers pay an insurance to cover their
losses. Despite obligatory carcass inspection, T. saginata continues to occur in
the EU. Risk factors such as, wastewater effluent, sludge from water treatment
plants, flooding of grazing land, drinking from effluent streams and tourism have
been identified, but for now, meat inspection and treatment of personnel from
infected farms are the only tools used for control.
Parasitological, molecular and serological diagnostic tools have been developed
for the detection of tapeworms and cysticerci in humans and animals. Some of
these are promising candidates for replacing the routine, unspecific and
insensitive techniques currently used in most laboratories and slaughterhouses
but they need full validation and are not yet commercially available. Moreover,
since cross-reactions and lack of sensitivity persist, novel approaches such as
genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and nanobody technology would
generate opportunities for identification of new diagnostic targets and
development of vaccine candidates.
Prevention and control of T. saginata and T. solium
Both being zoonoses, the prevention and control of bovine and porcine/human
cysticercosis need an integrated approach. Several strategies are possible to
break the parasite life cycle including treatments, vaccination, health education
and improving sanitation, pig/cattle management and food safety measures (see
section “Working Group 3” for more details). However, studies on the costeffectiveness of prevention and control interventions are highly needed but
scarce, and this, mainly due to the lack of knowledge on the parasite
transmission dynamics.
As mentioned above, current prevention and control programmes of
taeniosis/cysticercosis are mainly based on diagnosis at the slaughterhouse.
Taeniosis is not a notifiable disease and is consequently not reported at a
national level and its control is exclusively based on individual anthelmintic
treatment. Moreover, in resource poor countries outside Europe where T. solium
is endemic, pigs are most of the time clandestinely slaughtered. Currently
applied control programmes are insufficient to control/eradicate taeniosis and
cysticercosis in countries where the diseases are endemic. While the control of T.
ovis mainly consists in not feeding dogs with condemned carcasses, the infection
is persisting in some European countries and there is a need to review and
strengthen existing control programs.
Benefits of the Action include:
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Improving the health of EU citizens by concerted action of
multidisciplinary EU research groups on 1) evaluating the risk of NCC and
taeniosis within the EU (via immigration/ travel or autochthonous
transmission), 2) identifying common actions for prevention and control,
3) identifying and advocating for an improved surveillance system, and 4)
NCC management (diagnosis, treatment).
Reducing the negative economic impact on both health and meat sectors
Obtaining the global burden of disease estimates, which are urgently
needed to inform public authorities and advocate for more funding both
for research and for control/prevention
An increased communication between Medical and Veterinary Sectors.
Benefits to other Cysticercosis Working groups, mainly in endemic
developing countries, by providing scientific support
Creating opportunities for EU diagnostic companies (private sector) to
further develop innovative diagnostic tools, new drugs/formulations,
vaccines
Technological advancement by technology exchange, especially in the field
of genome, proteomics, nanobody technology; and sharing of biological
databanks

Research mobility of young researchers by exchange visits in top-level
laboratories/research centres within and outside EU.
The Action is aimed at both European economical/societal needs and
scientific/technological advances.
OBJECTIVES
Aim
The aim of the Action is to build a strong, extensive, multi-disciplinary scientific
network to induce sustainable collaborations with the aim to advance knowledge
and understanding of the taeniosis/cysticercosis zoonotic disease complexes.
Intra European collaboration is essential to stop its development and spread
within the European Union.
Objectives
The aim of the Action will be achieved via scientific and network objectives:


Sustainable scientific collaborations induced by the Network have the aim
to:
o Develop innovative diagnostic tools via technology and knowledge
exchange
o Assess the disease burdens and economic impact using innovative
modelling tools
o Optimise and evaluate control/prevention tools
o Optimise and harmonise reporting/surveillance systems and
patient management schemes
o Create exchange/training opportunities for young researchers
The network will also aim to:
o Improve the communication/collaboration between the different
sectors (Medical, Veterinary, Social, Water and Sanitation…)
o Provide information/ recommendations to public authorities
o Advocate with stakeholders and funding agencies within and
outside European Union
o Provide support to other Cysticercosis Working groups in endemic
areas.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME
Scientific focus
The Action has a multidisciplinary research focus, represented by different
working groups.
INSERT FIGURE WORKING GROUPS HERE
WG2
Diagnosis and Biomedical research
Op misa on, large-scale valida on and
commercialisa on of exis ng diagnos c
tests
WG1
Increase fundamental knowledge of the
parasite
Epidemiology
Risk assessment
Disease burden
NCC/taeniosis case research
Economic impact
Harmonised NCC case management
procedures
WG3
Repor ng system for NCC
cases within the EU
Treatment failure
Control and preven on
Harmonised surveillance and repor ng of
cys cercosis/taeniosis within the EU
Iden fy the op mal control and preven on
tools within and outside the EU
The most important research tasks coordinated by the Action are:



The development of innovative diagnostic and control tools. This will be
done by knowledge and technology exchange between groups working on
fundamental analyses of the parasite (such as proteomic analyses of
excretion/secretion proteins, transcriptomics and genomics studies) and
host parasite interactions; groups that have experience in the
development of applied technology (all have been involved in the writing
of this proposal); as well as private companies (Working Group 2, WG2).
The assessment of the disease burdens and economic impacts. Essential
for this objective is the gathering of all data on disease occurrence, its
impact on human health, costs both on medical and veterinary levels.
Models will be developed that estimate these burdens/impacts (Working
Group 1, WG1). Inputs from WG2 will be needed.
The optimisation and harmonisation of reporting/surveillance systems
and patient management schemes for NCC. This will be carried out by
WG3 (reporting/ surveillance) and 2 (case management) with inputs
from WG1.
The details are described under the respective Working Groups.
Scientific work plan methods and means
INSERT WORKING GROUP FIGURE
WG1
Diagnosis
WG2
Epidemiology
•
•
•
•
NCC/taeniosis case •
research
Op misa on diagnos c tests;
increased fundamental
knowledge
•
Harmonised NCC
management & repor ng
procedures; treatment failure
•
Op misa on of control tools
Transmission dynamics
Risk assessment
Burden & economic impact
Innova on in mathema cal
modelling
Cost benefit
assessments of
control tools
WG3
Diagnos c and
control tools
Control and preven on
•
•
Harmonised surveillance and repor ng
Iden fy the op mal control and preven on tools with a focus
on new, integrated, innova ve systems
Working Group 1: Epidemiology
INSERT FIGURE WG1 HERE (next to title)
WG1
Epidemiology
Transmission dynamics: from prevalence to incidence data
Understanding the transmission dynamics of Taenia spp. is essential to develop
ad hoc cost-effective prevention and control programmes. To this end, studies
evaluating the yearly risk of infection with T. saginata/T. solium by beef/pork
consumption, and the rate of exposure of cattle/pigs to tapeworm eggs are
highly needed. Once available, these parameters can be incorporated in
Epidemiological Compartmental Models to simulate the spatio-temporal spread
and transmission of the parasite. These models will also allow assessing and
comparing the effects of control interventions on the parasite life cycle. WG 1
will first focus on gathering and critically assessing available epidemiological
data on taeniosis and cysticercosis. Based on expert elicitation, these data will be
adjusted for underreporting and underestimation due to diagnostic test
inaccuracy. Conducting this data collection in the framework of the Action will
allow a standardization of the data mining and adjustment approaches used. A
solid database will be the basis of the other activities of the WG.
Assessing the economic and health burden of Taenia spp.
Assessing the economic and health burden of Taenia spp. is important to set up
public health and veterinary public health priorities at national and European
level. As mentioned above, a good control programme should be cost-effective.
Despite the fact that millions of Euros are yearly allocated to bovine cysticercosis
prevention, the parasite is still endemic in Europe and other regions of the world
applying the same control measures. Similarly, only few studies addressed the
cost-effectiveness of T. solium control programmes in endemic areas. Assessing
the monetary and health burden of these human and animal diseases will be the
first step in developing a valid evaluation of intervention strategies considering
both costs and benefits. The Action will allow a large scale standardized burden
assessment in order to provide an evidence-based opinion on the real impact of
bovine, porcine and human cysticercosis, and to evaluate cost-effectiveness of
control measures. Assessing the risk factors linked to Taenia spp. within and
outside the EU
Some risk factors for bovine, porcine and human cysticercosis are well known i.e.
eating habits, sanitation and farming systems. On the other hand, new or not well
known potential risks of transmission such as the increased organic pig farming
(re-introduction of an active life cycle), backyard farming, illegal meat import or
the increased number of (illegal) immigrants/travellers have been identified but
never properly assessed within and outside European countries. Moreover,
infection routes for pigs, cattle and human such as the origin and demographic
characteristics of NCC cases in Europe (importance of human-to-human
transmission) still need to be completely understood.
The Action will allow launching new initiatives for the identification of emerging
risk factors favouring the maintenance and/or the (re-) emergence of Taenia
spp. infections within and outside Europe.
Proposing efficient taeniosis/cysticercosis surveillance systems
Among Taenia spp. infections, only official meat inspection data are notifiable. In
animals, ante- mortem testing at farm level is inexistent. Taeniosis and human
cysticercosis are not notifiable diseases. In order to avoid the re-emergence of
human cysticercosis inside the EU as it occurred in the US (Southwest),
European countries should develop efficient surveillance systems. Experts of the
Action will analyse the European situation and propose the most appropriate
surveillance pathways in order to avoid an increase or the (re-) emergence of
Taenia spp. infections.
The main objective of this WG is to characterise the epidemiology of Taenia spp. within
and outside Europe.
Specific objectives will focus on:
- Studying the transmission dynamics of Taenia spp.
- Assessing the economic and health burden of the parasites
- Assessing the risk factors linked to Taenia spp. infection within and outside Europe
- Proposing efficient taeniosis/cysticercosis surveillance systems
Diagnosis
WG2
NCC/taeniosis case
research
Working Group 2: Diagnosis and Biomedical research
INSERT FIGURE WG2 HERE (next to title)
NCC is a complex disease with many different clinical presentations, depending
on the number, stage and location of the cysticerci, but also on host age,
immunity, parasite genetics, etc. Treatment of cysticercosis is cumbersome and
needs hospitalisation of patients. In the last decade, there has been an evolution
in cases from old/middle-aged people in rural areas (no travel history), to
younger people (young immigrants or young European travellers) in urban
centers. There are indications that disease patterns and treatment responses are
different not only between these different age groups but also between the
origins of the groups (traveller, immigrant, local, endemic-non endemic areas…).
Up till now different diagnostic tools are being used; and different treatment
regimens followed. There is an obvious need to define more harmonised case
management procedures as well as to endorse an improved follow up and
reporting system for NCC cases within the European Union.
Taeniosis can be easily treated by the use of anthelmintics, however more and
more reports from studies in the developing endemic countries indicate
treatment failures, and call for more in depth research.
Many different diagnostic techniques have been developed for the detection of
(N)CC (human and animal) or taeniosis, to be used in the field, abattoir or clinic,
all with their respective pros and cons. A number of immunodiagnostic test have
been established, among which the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot
(EITB) that detects specific antibodies in serum and has a high specificity and
sensitivity. This test is widely recognized; unfortunately it is expensive and in a
format not very applicable in most resource poor laboratories in endemic areas.
More field applicable ELISA test formats have been developed to detect specific
antibodies and antigens in the serum. Existing antibody ELISA’s based on crude
antigen, purified proteins/ recombinant proteins or synthetic peptides have until
now failed to produce consistent good results of high specificity and high
sensitivity; however, research is ongoing into the development/identification of
new markers for diagnostic tools. The current antigen detecting ELISAs is based
on monoclonal antibodies that detect excretory/secretory proteins produced by
live cysts. As such the test detects viable cysts only, which has several
epidemiological, clinical and public health implications. In epidemiological
studies the presence of antigens indicates presence of infection, while presence
of antibodies indicates exposure to the parasite, but not necessarily
establishment of infection. In clinical cases (people with NCC) the treatment
choice and follow up can be altered depending on the presence of live cysts. In
the animal intermediate hosts, only viable cysts are a public health concern.
The main drawback of most techniques is their non-applicability in endemic
areas because of high cost and/or need for expensive laboratory equipment; and
lack of sensitivity/specificity.
There is a call for European research groups in collaboration with private
diagnostic companies to tackle this problem in an innovative way. Different
research groups are currently carrying out in depth analyses of the parasite (at
the ‘omics’ level) in which concerted action with technology exchange should be
envisaged. The latter includes prime opportunities for exchange of young
researchers. Also, the latter fundamental analyses can potentially identify
markers not only for the development of new diagnostic tools, but also for new
vaccines. The TSOL 18 (HP6) recombinant vaccine has been very efficient at
reducing infection in experimentally and naturally infected pigs. However, until
now, three immunizations and a treatment are required; also, questions remain
on the age of vaccination and the duration of the protection. A number of other
vaccine candidates have been studied, though, with less success.
The main objectives of this WG are to





Define more harmonised NCC case management procedures (evidence
based) and endorse a reporting system for NCC cases within the
European Union.
Examine treatment failure for taeniosis.
Look into optimisation, large-scale validation, inter-laboratory ringtrials and commercialisation of existing (serological) diagnostic tests
for Taenia spp. and tackle in an innovative way the problem of high
cost and/or need for expensive laboratory equipment for most
techniques, (which makes them non-applicable in endemic areas), in
collaboration with private diagnostic companies. etc.
Carry out fundamental analyses of the parasite (at the genomic,
transcriptomic, and protein level). The latter holds prime
opportunities for exchange of young researchers.
Look into optimisation of control tools (such as treatment of animal
cysticercosis, treatment/vaccine development)
Working Group 3: Control and prevention
INSERT FIGURE WG3 HERE
Possible control/prevention tools for T. solium in endemic areas include a wide
range of possibilities, such as treatment of the intermediate or final hosts,
vaccination of the intermediate (T. solium, T. saginata), improved detection in
intermediate and final hosts, change in farm management practices, improved
sanitation and personal hygiene, education etc.
Cost benefit, applicability and acceptability by the local communities of these
(combined) options need to be analysed (inputs from results obtained by WG1).
Also, more new, innovative options should be explored (with inputs from WG2,
see e.g. development of new vaccines or vaccine delivery mechanisms).
Control and prevention options of T. solium infections in non endemic areas such
as the EU can be different and need looking into urgently, depending largely on
the information obtained from WG 1 defining the specific risk factors related to
EU infections (origin, etc.) and WG 1 and 2 recommendations on harmonized
case management and disease notification.
Possible control/prevention tools for T. saginata include improved wastewater
management and detection of bovine cysticercosis, e.g. by the use of serological
methods (in addition to the normal meat inspection). Currently, meat inspection
is being reviewed at EU level. The result of this review is not yet publically
available, but can have an important impact. Most probably, the meat inspection
of calves will be reformed, as they represent only a minor/negligible risk.
Effective control programs should tackle multiple factors maintaining the life
cycle of T. saginata, including the consumers, medical doctors, pharmacists, meat
inspectors, veterinarians and farmers. This integrated approach should be
coordinated at national and European level. Also here, measures will be based on
information received from WG1 and 2.
INSERT FIGURE CONTROL HERE
o
X
Taeniosis
X
o
o
Neurocysticercosis
o
o
o
Treatment (taeniosis)
Improved sanita on
Health educa on
o
o
Human Cysticercosis
o
Improved meat
inspec on
Serological detec on
Ante mortem inspec on
Cook meat
Control slaughter
Meat inspec on
X
Bovine/porcine Cysticercosis
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Treatment of taeniosis
Destruc on of expelled
proglo ds
Wastewater management
Farm management
Restrain pigs
Treat pigs
Vaccinate pigs
Obviously there is a need for a multidisciplinary team that will identify the best
options, with a focus on new, integrated innovative systems.
The involvement of social scientists is essential in the identification,
implementation and evaluation of control methods, especially concerning the
acceptability of control programs by the population.
The main objectives of this multidisciplinary WG are:
• To identify the optimal control and prevention tools within and outside the
European Union for both diseases with a focus on new, integrated, innovative
systems.
• To develop a harmonised reporting/surveillance system for
cysticercosis/taeniosis within the European Union.
Organisation
INSERT FIGURE ORGANISATION HERE
Management commi ee
Chair– Vice Chair- STSM coordinator
WG leader
Co-WG leader
WG1
WG leader
Co-WG leader
WG2
WG leader
Co-WG leader
C
O
R
E
G
R
O
U
P
WG3
The Action will be composed of an overall Management Committee (MC) and 3
WGs. The MC will co-ordinate the Action, the research carried out within the
framework of the Action by the Working Groups (WG).
The MC, headed by an elected Chairman and consisting of maximum two
members of each participating country, will meet biannually. The MC will draw
yearly reports, as well as the final report and recommendations, based on results
from the Working Groups. The working groups will have biannual meetings as
well.
The Core Group is composed of the Action Chair, Vice-Chair, all WG leaders and
co-leaders and the STSM coordinator.
Action Chair:
Dr. Sarah Gabriël (sgabriel@itg.be), Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp,
Belgium
Action Vice-Chair:
Prof. Manuela Vilhena (mmcv@uevora.pt), Universidade de Évora, Evora,
Portugal.
Action WG’s:
WG1 Leader: Mr Brecht Devleesschauwer, Ghent University, Belgium,
Brecht.devleesschauwer@ugent.be
WG1 co-leader: Dr. Alberto Allepuz, Centre Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA),
Spain, alberto.allepuz@uab.cat
WG2 Leader: Dr. Andrea Winkler, Technische Universitä t Mü nchen, Germany,
drawinkler@yahoo.com.au
WG2 co-leader: Dr. Teresa Garate, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain,
tgarate@isciii.es
WG3 Leader: Prof. Maria Van Johansen, KUSUND, Denmark. mvj@sund.ku.dk
WG3 co-leader: Prof. Elias Papadopoulos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
Greece, eliaspap@vet.ath.gr
Grantholder:
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
• Scientific Representative: Prof. P. Dorny, pdorny@itg.be
• Grant Holder Manager: T. Koyen, cystinettd1302@itg.be
• Email: CYSTINETTD1302@itg.be
Financial rapporteurs:
Financial Rapporteur 1°: Dr. Joke van der Giessen, National Institute for Public
Health and the Environment (RIVM) center Zoonoses & Environmental
Microbiology, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands NL,
joke.van.der.giessen@rivm.nl.
Financial Rapporteur 2°: Dr. Smaragda Sotiraki, NAGREF Veterinary Research
Institute NAGREF, Campus THERMI 57001 THESSALONIKI, EL.,
smaro_sotiraki@yahoo.gr
Action COST Science Officer:
Dr Giuseppe Lugano, Trans-Domain Science Officer, Giuseppe.Lugano@cost.eu
Action COST Administrative Officer:
Ms Anja Van Der Snickt, Anja.VanDerSnickt@cost.eu
DC Rapporteur: Prof. Vlatko Ilieski (MK, DC FA)
Gender balance and involvement of early-stage researchers
This COST Action will respect an appropriate gender balance in all its activities
and the Management Committee will place this as a standard item on all its MC
agendas. The Action will also be committed to considerably involve early-stage
researchers. This item will also be placed as a standard item on all MC agendas.
Action YEAR 1
INSERT table : see excel Year 1 specific objectives-activities-deliverables
The primary objectives of this first Action year are:
-
to create an operational, strong, extensive, multi-disciplinary scientific
network on taeniosis/cysticercosis in the EU
to identify and prioritise clearly defined research gaps that need to be
addressed in the first Action year
to initiate sustainable collaborations both within and between WG,
ensuring that the identified problems will be handled in a most efficient
way
to inform stakeholders on the launch of Action
Year 1 activities
In order to create a strong operational network, the Action will built on the work
conducted by the currently existing cysticercosis working group EU (expert
group that existed before the Action), which will be strengthened and extended,
with special attention to gender balance and early stage researchers. A clear and
transparent management/operational structure will be put in place by the
constitution of a Management Committee. A Core Group will be formed,
composed of the Chair and Vice-Chair and Working Group leaders. The COST
Action will benefit from the work conducted by the cysticercosis working group
EU and will aim at involving experts from several countries, also from eastern
Europe, as well as research groups working on Taenia saginata. Each WG will
carry out a detailed review on which (research) gaps that need to be addressed
and how (and which information is needed from other WG). Based on this
information, research priorities will be identified and a well defined working
programme will be established, both between and within the WG. Sustainable
collaborations will be initiated, helped by regular meetings, the Action website,
as well as STSM and training schools.
A Core Group meeting at the beginning of the Action (January 2014); will ensure
a quick start of the activities. A second core group meeting will be held in the
second part of 2014 to discuss the results of the second WG meetings, to
ensure/facilitate information exchange between the WGs and to prepare
decisions to be taken by the MC in Year 2. Therefore, a preliminary activity
planning for Year 2 will be prepared, including the organization of trainings,
STSM and the first Action Conference.
MC Meetings
Following the 1st MC Meeting (“Kick-Off”), the Action MC will meet once during
the first year of the Action. This second MC meeting will be held in May 2014,
linked to (after) the first WG meetings. The MC meeting will primarily cover the
evaluation of the reports of the first WG meetings and ensure the needed
information exchange between the WGs. The progress made on the writing of
common proposals for additional grants will also be discussed, as well as the
dissemination of results so far produced by the action to the relevant
stakeholders. MC members will be in regular online contact, via email, the Action
website, or skype meetings.
WG Meetings
The WGs will meet twice during the first year. The first meetings will be linked to
the 2nd MC meeting (May 2014) and the second ones with the Training School.
The aim of the first WG meeting will be to determine detailed objectives for
Action year 1 and objectives for year 2-4, as well as to plan the activities for year
1, including the identification of STSM, with a focus on early stage researchers.
The second WG meeting will take place in September 2014, linked to the
Training School. In this meeting preliminary analyses will be discussed as well as
the way forward in order to reach the objectives for Action year 1. Also, a work
plan for Year 2 will be detailed, including requests for STMS (subjects and
candidates) and Training Schools, to be presented to the MC. A follow up report
will be drawn to present in the Core Group meeting.
Working Group 1: Epidemiology
It is essential that in this first year the raw data (on disease occurrence, risk
factors, costs…) from all member states will be collected, and a system put in
place to collect data from following years. One Training School will be organized
to increase the capacity in epidemiological research in all member states. This
specific training will focus on data collection and management.
Working Group 2: Diagnostic and control tools; Cysticercosis/taeniosis case
research
A session will be organized on prioritization of diagnostic and control tools
(which tools need to be developed the most urgently and where are we
currently?). Presentations of activities of all members will help the identification
of possible collaborations. Identification and analyses of the management of
clinical cases (diagnosis/treatment) will be primarily done in this first year. The
information available, mainly from endemic areas, needs to be reviewed
critically for use within the European context.
Working Group 3: Control and prevention:
This first Action year will be used for an extensive review of all available tools
and results of these tools, based on results of epidemiological research (risk
factors etc) and diagnostic/control tool availability (and in collaboration with
WG1 & 2). Substantial information will be obtained from research carried out in
endemic areas, which needs to be evaluated/adapted to the European context.
Also, this WG will have to extend the network to other research groups/ sectors,
such as sanitation, social sciences, in order to create a multidisciplinary working
group.
STSMs
Eight STSM will be organized during the first Action Year. The specific STSM
(subject and candidates) will be discussed during the first Core Group meeting;
and approved by the MC (online) and coordinated by the STSM coordinator.
Training School:
One Training School will be organized for WG1, on data collection and
management, to ensure a correct collection of epidemiological information. This
Training School will be held in Antwerp, Belgium.
Dissemination Meetings:
The Action and its preliminary results will be presented at the Neglected
Zoonotic Disease 4th Conference at WHO in Geneva, Switzerland on 1920/11/2014.
Launch of the Action Website
The launch of the Action website is planned the latest on the 1st of June, 2014.
The website will serve as a platform for information dissemination and
exchange.
Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM)
Summary:
Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM) are aimed at supporting individual
mobility and at strengthening the existing networks and fostering collaborations
by allowing scientists to visit an institution or laboratory in another Participating
COST Country or an approved NNC institution or an approved IPC institution. A
STSM should specifically contribute to the scientific objectives of the COST
Action, while at the same time allowing applicants to learn new techniques or
gain access to specific instruments and/or methods not available in their own
institutions.
LINK TO COST DOCUMENT
LINK TO CALL DOCUMENT 2014 (pdf)
2014 STSM CALL CYSTINET
The first call for the COST Action TD 1302 CYSTINET Short Term Scientific
Missions (STSM) applications is launched on February 17th, 2014 with a total
grant of € 17,000.
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM) are aimed at strengthening existing
networks by allowing scientists to go to a COST Action CYSTINET partner in
another CYSTINET COST Country or approved NNC/IPC institution (Table 1)
to support individual mobility and foster collaboration. STSMs are particularly
intended for young scientists.
Table 1: CYSTINET participating countries
Austria
Norway
Belgium
Poland
Denmark
Portugal
France
Romania
fYR Macedonia
Serbia
Germany
Spain
Greece
Sweden
Italy
Switzerland
Latvia
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Slovenia (intention)
Call topics:
The COST Action TD1302 CYSTINET funds STSMs that specifically contribute to
the following objectives:

Epidemiology of Taenia spp. within and outside Europe:
o Studying the transmission dynamics of Taenia spp.;
o Assessing the economic and health burden of the parasites;
o Assessing the economic and health burden of the parasites
dynamics of Taenia spp.;
o Proposing efficient taeniosis/cysticercosis surveillance systems

Diagnosis and NCC/Taeniosis case research:
o Defining more harmonised NCC case management procedures
(evidence based) and endorse a reporting system for NCC cases
within the European Union;
o Examining treatment failure for taeniosis;
o Looking into optimisation, large-scale validation, inter-laboratory
ring-trials and commercialisation of existing (serological)
diagnostic tests for Taenia spp. and tackle in an innovative way the
problem of high cost and/or need for expensive laboratory
equipment for most techniques, (which makes them nonapplicable in endemic areas), in collaboration with private
diagnostic companies;
o Carrying out fundamental analyses of the parasite (at the genomic,
transcriptomic, and protein level);
o Looking into optimisation of control tools (such as treatment of
animal cysticercosis, treatment/vaccine development).

Control and prevention:
o Identifying the optimal control and prevention tools within and
outside the European Union for both diseases with a focus on new,
integrated, innovative systems;
o Harmonizing surveillance and reporting
Who can apply?
The Applicant should be engaged in a programme of research as a postgraduate
student or postdoctoral fellow or be employed in an institution of a COST
Country having accepted the MoU of the COST Action TD1302 CYSTINET (see
table 1).
Applications from early stage researchers (from PhD up to 8 years after PhD)
will be privileged and gender balance will be taken into consideration.
Home and Host Institution
The home and the host institutions can be public or private and should normally
both be CYSTINET partners.
The Applicant is responsible for obtaining the agreement of the host institution,
before submitting his/her application.
For the period of the STSM neither the MC of the Action, the COST Office nor the
Grant Holder may be considered as the employer and grantees must make their
own arrangements for all health, social, personal security and pension matters.
Duration
STSMs should be a minimum of 5 working days and a maximum of 3 months
and shall be made within the time frame of the CYSTINET operation.
An extension to a duration beyond 3 months, but not more than 6 months in
total, may be approved for Early Stage Researchers.
The STSM’s should be carried out between 01/05/2014 and 15/10/2014.
Financial Support
The financial support is a contribution to the costs of a STSM and may not
necessarily cover all the costs. The grant should normally cover only travel and
subsistence. The financial contribution for a STSM will be a fixed grant based on
the Applicant's budget request and the evaluation of the application by the STSM
coordinator.
A daily allowance of EUR 160 maximum and travel allowance of EUR 500 are
recommended. The daily rate for subsistence will be based on the cost living in
each respective country (see attached list ‘Daily rates CYSTINET STSM 2014’).
The total cost of an STSM shall not normally exceed EUR 2500 for up to 3 months
or EUR 3500 for Early Stage Researchers above 3 months.
Any exception needs special justification and prior approval from the COST
Office.
How to apply
Registration by the applicant
Before submitting an application, the applicant must obtain the written
agreement of the host institution.
Then, the Applicant must complete the online application form available on
https://e-services.cost.eu/stsm. The on-line registration tool will issue a
formal STSM application which should be downloaded and sent by the applicant
electronically (as an e-mail attachment) together with any necessary documents
which the Applicant may regard as helpful in supporting the application at the
evaluation process (such as CV, list of publications, motivation letter, letter of
support from the home institute etc.) to:
o the future Host institution of the STSM;
o the STSM coordinator Dr Sandrine Lacour (sandrine.lacour@anses.fr).
Assessment and approval of the STSM
The STSM coordinator will perform the scientific and budgetary assessment of
the applications considering the Action objectives and define an acceptable
funding level and will inform the CYSTINET Grant Holder that the proposed
STSM has been approved.
Assessment criteria:

The scientific scope of the application must be in line with the Action
objectives (see call topics) and aim:
o to support individual mobility and foster collaboration,
o to learn a new technique or
o to take measurements using instruments and/or methods not
available in their own institution/laboratory.

The application should comply with COST STSM regulations and eligibility
criteria (see COST Vademecum part 1, p32)

The application should follow the budgetary guidelines (see financial
support)
The CYSTINET Grant Holder will send the Applicant a Grant letter in which
he/she is informed about:
a.
the approval of the STSM and;
b.
the level of the financial grant given.
The Applicant has to return this Grant letter, after accepting the grant with
his/her signature.
Report and payment of the grant
STSM Scientific Report
The grantee is required to submit a short scientific report to the STSM
coordinator for approval within 30 days after the end date of the STSM
containing:
o Purpose of the STSM;
o Description of the work carried out during the STSM;
o Description of the main results obtained;
o Future collaboration with the host institution (if applicable);
o Foreseen publications/articles resulting from the STSM (if
applicable);
o Confirmation by the host institution of the successful execution of
the STSM;
o Other comments (if any).
This short scientific report will be also sent to the host institution for
information
Notice of completion and payment of the grant
The STSM coordinator shall approve the final report and inform the CYSTINET
Grant Holder that the STSM has been successfully accomplished. After receipt of
the approval by email, the Grant Holder will execute the payment of the grant.
The failure to submit the scientific report within 30 days will effectively cancel
the grant.
Timelines
Launch STSM call: 17th February 2014
Deadline for application submission: 31st March 2014
Announcement of selected candidates: 20th April 2014
Events and News
update participating countries: website:
http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fa/Actions/TD1302?parties
update addresses & names MC members
http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fa/Actions/TD1302?management
in members only section, in admin:
o
o
o
o
o
guidelines
W&B plan
Meeting minutes
Participant file
MoU