Final answer:
The best explanation for why Taenia solium infection is neglected in the U.S. is that it is underreported due to American physicians' lack of awareness of its signs and symptoms, particularly among the Latino community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason infection with Taenia solium is one of the five neglected parasitic infections in the United States is best explained by Statement A: Thousands of Latinos are thought to be infected with T. solium, but it is underreported because American physicians are unaware of the signs and symptoms. The CDC has identified cysticercosis, caused by the larval form of T. solium, as a neglected parasitic infection (NPI). This is due in part to a lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding the disease's prevalence and presentation, particularly within certain communities such as the Latino population.
The lifecycle of T. solium involves the development of cysts in tissues, which can lead to cysticercosis or neurocysticercosis when the brain and spinal cord are affected. This condition poses a significant health risk and is a leading cause of adult onset epilepsy in developing countries. Despite this, the prevalence of T. solium is often underestimated in the U.S., contributing to its status as an NPI due to the combination of underdiagnosis, a lack of physician awareness, and an underappreciation of the risks associated especially with immigrant populations.