Specific objectives, activities, deliverables

Working Group 1

Objective 1: Summarize local knowledge on taeniosis/cysticercosis epidemiology

• Activity 1.1. Perform search in local data sources based on Country Sheets
• Activity 1.2. Finalize and submit review paper Western Europe
• Activity 1.4. Initiate in-depth studies on local epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis in specific countries
  • Deliverable 1.1. Summary of local data
  • Deliverable 1.2. Submitted review paper Western Europe
  • Deliverable 1.3. Submitted review paper Eastern Europe
  • Deliverable 1.4. Procedures developed

Objective 2: Review existing Taenia spp. transmission models

• Activity 2.1. Carry out a review on existing Taenia spp transmission models
  • Deliverable 2.1. Submitted review paper on Taenia spp. transmission models

Objective 3: Improve the T. solium transmission model and develop a T. saginata transmission model

• Activity 3.1. Develop the T. saginata diseases transmission model, based on T. solium model
  • Deliverable 3.1. Submitted manuscript on Taenia saginata transmission model

Objective 4: Initiate case studies on Taenia saginata health and economic impact

• Activity 4.1a. Case studies on Taenia saginata economic impact
• Activity 4.1b. Case studies on Taenia saginata health impact
• Activity 4.2. Task force meeting on Taenia saginata health and economic impact
• Activity 4.3. Asses economic impact of Bovine cysticercosis in European Union
  • Deliverable 4.1. Taenia saginata burden assessments initiated in at least one country
  • Deliverable 4.2. Task force meeting minutes
  • Deliverable 4.3. Procedures developed

Objective 5: Extend the network of stakeholders involved in Taenia spp epidemiological research, with a focus on inclusiveness countries

• Activity 5.1. Actively seek to involve other researchers in the epidemiology field (focus on inclusiveness countries)
  • Deliverable 5.1: increased nr of WG1 members, with a focus on inclusiveness countries

Objective 6. Facilitate molecular confirmation of PCC

• Activity 6.1. Further promote molecular confirmation suspected lesion
  • Deliverable 6.1. Up to date list of molecular confirmation capacity

Objective 7. Study epidemiology of Taenia saginata at global level

• Activity 7.1. Review global occurrence of Taenia saginata taeniosis/cysticercosis
  • Deliverable 7.1. Procedures developed

Objective 8. Develop regional and global Taenia spp. risk maps

• Activity 8.1. Initiate review on risk of T. solium in Central America
  • Deliverable 8.1. Procedures developed

Working Group 2

Objective 1: Evaluation of human & animal diagnosis questionnaire in the participating countries

• Activity 1.1 update list of diagnostics performed, update the map from WG1 with info from this list
• Activity 1.2 Writing of diagnostic review
• Activity 1.3 Presentation of T/CC facilities and performed tests in different countries and asking for permission to make this information publicly available
  • Deliverable 1.1 Updated list as part of the diagnostic review
  • Deliverable 1.2 Submission of final draft of diagnostic review
  • Deliverable 1.3 Updated list and circulation of that list among Cystinet members
  • Deliverable 1.4 Updated map and publication of it on the Cystinet website

Objective 2: Evaluation of the inter-laboratory ring trial on serological detection of NCC

• Activity 2.4.Ring trial report: lab performances, gap analyses and recommendations
  • Deliverable 2.4. Writing of recommendations for NCC serological diagnosis

Objective Extension 2b:  Organization of an inter-laboratory ring trial on coprological detection for T diagnosis

• Activity 2b.1. Design of an inter-laboratory ring trial for T diagnosis based on coprological detection
• Activity 2b.2. Establishment of a panel of samples, including feces, positives and negatives for taeniasis (T. sag/T. sol).
• Activity 2b.3. Distribution of selected samples to the participating labs
• Activity 2b.4. Evaluation of diagnosis ring-trial data
  • Deliverable 2b.1. Protocol established
  • Deliverable 2b.2. Panels of samples established (list)
  • Deliverable 2b3. shipment list
  • Deliverable 2b.4. RT Report

Objective 2c: ESTABLISHMENT OF Disease-BIOMARKERS  (Glycome)

• Activity 2c.1. Determination of glycome differences among the distinct NCC types (Extraparenchymal vs parenchymanl, active vs inactive;…)
• Activity 2c.2.IgG glycosilation profiles from different NCC types (Extraparenchymal vs parenchymanl, active vs inactive;…)
  • Deliverable 2c.1. Draft report
  • Deliverable 2c.2. draft report
  • Deliverable 2c.3. Writing of differences found on glycome profiles of patients with different forms of NCC (Publication)

Objective 3: Data bank of Taenia molecules with diagnosis potential, described by the different labs based on -omics approaches and bioinformatic analyses

• Activity 3.1. Compilation of molescules identified and used for T/NCC diagnosis in European Labs.
• Activity 3.1. Distribution of information to European Labs
  • Deliverables 3.1. Publication by end 2017

Objective 4: Extend the network of stakeholders involved in Taenia spp diagnostics and fundamental research, with a focus on inclusiveness countries

• Deliverable 4.1 Increased number of WG members

Objective 5: Formal assessment of the prevalence of NCC and its clinical characteristics in Europe and overseas departments (continued form year 1)

• Deliverable  5.1. Writing up and submission of the mansucript

Objective 6: Exploring ways of a European registry TSCT/NCC (in collaboration with WP1)

• Activity 6.1. Assess willingness of European partrners to contribute
• Activity 6.2. Assess funding possibilities: to year 4
  • Deliverable 6.1. Provide a list of countries willing to contribute: done: none of the countries
  • Deliverable .6.2. Provide a list of funding possibilities: to Y4

Objective 7: Exploring ways of establishing a EU wide mandatry reporting system for NCC (in collaboration with WP1)

• Activity 7.1 Drafting of position paper
  • Deliverable 7.1 Submission of position paper

Objective 8: Collection of case reports of partner countries on NCC management

• Deliverable 8.1 Documentation of follow up of cases

Objective 9: Establishment of informal guidelines for NCC management in Europe

• Activity 9.1. establishment of task force: done
• Activity 9.2 Development of step-by-step approach to NCC diagnosis and management
• Activity 9.3 Organisation of second task force meeting
  • Deliverable 9.1 final task force meeting 1 report
  • Deliverable 9.2 Report of guidelines
  • Deliverable 9.3 Task force report

Working Group 3

Objective 1:  Assess control tools and algoritms for best bet options

• Deliverable 1.1: Opinion note on  ‘best-bet’ option for control for endemic countries selected by WHO/FAO/OIE
• Deliverable 1.2: Publication on intervention tools for control of  Taenia solium cysticercosis elimination in sub-Saharan Africa (Parasitology – submitted)
• Deliverable 1.3: CystiSim – an agent-based model for Taenia solium transmission and control (shared with WP1)
• Deliverable 1.4: The societal cost of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Tanzania (Acta Tropica, Special edition – in press). (shared with WP1)
• Deliverable 1.5: Review – Added value of MDAs (human focus)
• Deliverable 1.6: Opinion note on “the step-wise approach” for the control

Objective 2: Collect data from pilot control programs from endemic areas and look into adaptation to EU conditions

• Deliverable 2.1: Review – T. saginata Globally (coordinated with WG1)
• Deliverable 2.2: Review – Effectiveness of Taenia control programmes, preliminary draft
• Deliverable 2.3: Cystinet Blue print  (start of document)
• Deliverable 2.4: Occurrence of other Taenia spp in the EU: Draft manuscript

Objective 3: Extend the network of stakeholders involved in Taenia prevention and control to establish a multidisciplinary working group

• Link with WHO/FAO/OIE informal T. solium network
• link with EFSA
• Link with other sectors (water & sanitation, e.g. World Water Forum etc.), continue seeking collaboration with relevant stakeholders
• Link with ECDC
• Link with the European College of Veterinary Public Health
• Link with the parasitology college (bring CYSTINET to Bari 2016)

Objective 4: Collect data from control programs for T. saginata /T. solium in Europe

• Paper – data on diagnostic techniques for bovine cysticercosis, model for cost in EU
• Paper – bovine cysticercosis including meat regulation and current projects on control for T. saginata in bovine

Objective 5: collect data on home slaughetering via QS

• View point – home slaughtering regulations

Objective 6: Study the presence and survival of Taenia eggs in the environment

• Review – survival of Taenia in the environment
• MSc + publication – in vitro testing of T. saginata 

Objective 7: To identify existing reporting/ surveillance systems for cysticercosis/ taeniosis in EU

• Report – how to make a disease (Taeniosis / NCC) notifiable
• Report – Country specific regulations for health check of refugees/immigrants + health certificates
• Short communication to Euro surveillance + local GP  (coordinated with WG1 &WG2)