A pig vaccine can eradicate the spread of a lethal form of brain disorder called neurocysticercosis.

Tapeworm plays a key role in neurocysticercosis.

The illness leads to cysts on the brain and vertebral column, the common cause of acquired epilepsy in the growing world where the parasite is widespread.

Pigs contract the larval form of the parasite from human excretory product, it is then transferred to human beings who consume improperly prepared pig meat.

A recent pilot test was conducted in Cameroon against the parasite Taenia solium, which results in 50 million tapeworm illnesses and around 50,000 fatalities liked to brain disorder around the world annually.

Marshall Lightowlers, professor of veterinary science at the University of Melbourne who led the study, said, "The trial resulted in the total elimination of transmission of the disease."

Tapeworms can develop many metres long and live inside human beings for long time without health inferences. Their eggs can hatch in the intestine and the parasite goes to the brain where it results in neurocysticercosis.

"Because the vaccination procedure used was relatively simple and sustainable, it has a genuine potential to form the basis for widespread control of the parasite's transmission and a reduction, or elimination, of the human brain disease known as neurocysticercosis," Lightowlers said.

A region in Cameroon was selected as an experiment location as 90% of its pigs are free-roaming and over 40% of houses that keep pigs do not have a public lavatory.

The scientists examined 240 three-month-old piggies with a medicine to destroy any parasites present before the research.

They then inoculated half of pigs to prevent any re-infection by the parasite and distributed the pigies in groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated animals to families rearing pigs.

After a period of 12 to 14 months, they discovered live parasites in 20 of the control pigs and none in the vaccinated animals.

The outcomes of the study will be released in the next issue of the International Journal for Parasitology. (With Input from Agencies)