Cysticercosis has been included among the most important known zoonosis, not only because it causes damages to animals' health and consequent economic losses but also due to the severity of the disease in the human population. It is caused by the larval stage (metacestodes) of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata.Based on the interactive relationship existing among the adult and larval stages of these parasites and their hosts, this paper reviews the natural history and prevention of the disease. The subject is approached so as to include the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex transmission mechanisms both from animals to man (taeniasis), as presented in a previous article, and from man to animals (cysticercosis). Several aspects are emphasized: a) the role of... |