Molecular Detection of Taeniid Eggs in Beetles Collected in an Area Endemic for Taenia solium

Abstract.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of Taenia solium eggs in beetles collected from sources within the natural environment through molecular techniques. Fifty-four pools of beetles were collected in three villages in Piura, Peru. DNA was extracted using the FastDNA spin kit for soil. Molecular identification of Taenia species was then performed through partial amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Finally, positive samples were sequenced to determine the tapeworm species. Seven positive samples were obtained through polymerase chain reaction amplification. Sequencing confirmed that two samples were from T. solium and three samples were from Taenia hydatigena. The other two samples could not be specifically identified. Our findings demonstrate that dung beetles ingest T. solium and T. hydatigena eggs under natural conditions and suggest that beetles may play a role in the dynamics of transmission of these cestodes.