DNA-CONFIRMED TAENIA-SOLIUM CYSTICERCOSIS IN BLACK BEARS (URSUS-AMERICANUS) FROM CALIFORNIA

Three cases of cysticercosis in black bears (Ursus americanus) in thre e northern California counties between 1990 and 1994 have been identif ied as due to the tapeworm Taenia solium. Both morphologic characteris tics as well as the presence of T. solium mitochondria cytochrome oxid ase I gene sequences, as detected by the polymerase chain reaction, co nfirmed the diagnosis. The number and geographic separation of the cas es suggests that infection of the bears was not due to a single contam ination. Humans infected with the definitive stage of T. solium are th e probable source of cysticercosis for bears, as well as other humans, This is the first confirmation of cysticercosis due to T. solium in a black bear in North America.