A scoping review of the frequency and clinical presentation of Taenia solium taeniasis and human cysticercosis/neurocysticercosis in Papua, Indonesia from 1970 to 2024

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Background Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis, including neurocysticercosis (NCC), are neglected tropical diseases disproportionately affecting remote, resource-poor regions. As a leading cause of acquired epilepsy globally, T. solium poses a major public health challenge. Methodology/principal findings This scoping review evaluated available literature on the prevalence of T. solium taeniasis and cysticercosis/NCC, clinical manifestations associated with infection, and diagnostic approaches used in Papua, Indonesia, from 1970 to 2024, following the PRISMA-ScR checklist. From 1,708 identified records, 28 articles underwent data extraction. Pooled prevalence estimates from studies conducted between 2007 and 2015 that used Enzyme-linked Immunoelectrotransfer Blot (EITB) indicated a taeniasis prevalence of 2.0% [95% CI: 1.0% – 6.0%] among household members in Central Papua and 3.0% [95% CI: 1.0% – 10.0%] in Highland Papua households. Furthermore, the pooled prevalence for residents in Central Papua positive by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for cysticercosis (studies from 1969-2015) was 5.0% [95% CI: 2.0% – 13.0%] compared to 29.0% [95% CI: 18.0% – 43.0%] in Highland Papua (studies from 1996-2011). Among 135 patients with headaches and/or seizures from both Central and Highland Papua (studies from 1998-2005), the pooled prevalence for ELISA-positive cysticercosis was 32.0% [95% CI: 9.0% – 69.0%]. Seizures were observed in 19.0% [95% CI: 12.0% – 28.0%] of villagers in Jayawijaya Regency that were ELISA positive for Taenia solium cysticercosis (studies from 1996-2001), with 35.0% [95% CI: 9.0% – 75.0%] presenting with subcutaneous nodules. Across all articles, only one study reported the use of brain computed tomography (CT) imaging for confirming NCC, indicating extremely limited access to neuroimaging in the region. Conclusions/significance Improving access to gold-standard CT imaging for NCC diagnosis, adopting standardized criteria for NCC diagnosis and management, and targeted public health interventions are urgently needed to reduce the burden of T. solium in Papua.