Taeniasis
Taeniasis solium is infection with adult worms that follows ingestion of contaminated pork. Cysticercosis is infection with larvae of Taenia solium from ova in human feces.Taeniasis is a tapeworm infection. Manifestations depend on the location and numbers of pork tapeworm cysts (cysticerci) and the host response. Cysts may be found anywhere in the body. The most common and serious manifestations are caused by those in the central nervous system. The two most important Taeniae for humans are T. solium and T. saginata. The adult worm lives in the intestine of humans. Humans infected with adult T. solium worms are asymptomatic or have mild GI complaints. The presentation, diagnosis, and management are similar to beef tapeworm infection (see above). However, humans may also act as intermediate hosts for T. solium larvae if they ingest T. solium eggs from human excreta. It has also been postulated that if an adult tapeworm is present in the intestine, gravid proglottids may be passed retrograde from the intestine to the stomach. Swine ( T. solium ) where a cysticercus is developed in the muscle. Humans acquire the infection by ingestion of raw beef/pork containing the cysticercus. For T. saginata humans are the final host. This is also true for T. solium but in T. solium humans can also be the intermediate host. This is the stage in which health problems occur for T. solium.
Human cysticercosis is caused by the development of T. solium cysticerci in tissues of humans. The location that most often prompt a medical consultation is the central nervous system, followed by the eye and its surrounding tissues. Solium and T. saginata are distributed worldwide.T. saginata can be found worldwide in countries where cattle are raised for human consumption.T. solium where swine are raised for human consumption. The frequency has decreased in developed countries owing to stricter meat inspection, better hygiene and better sanitary facilities.These tapeworm diseases have worldwide distribution. Prevalence rates are high in areas with poor sanitation and human fecal contamination in areas where cattle graze or swine are fed.
Causes of Taeniasis
Common causes of Taeniasis
- Undercooked meat.
- Larvae.
- Tapeworm.
- Seizures.
- Cysticercosis.
- Diphyllobothriasis.
Symptoms of Taeniasis
Common symptoms of Taeniasis
- Epigastric pain.
- Diarrhoea.
- Weight loss.
- Headaches.
- Epileptiform seizures.
- Psychiatric disturbances.
Treatment of Taeniasis
Common Treatment of Taeniasis
- The drug of choice for tapeworm infections is niclosamide. Treatment of cysticercosis is very difficult with varying success: praziquantel + corticosteroids + albendazole. Treatment of taeniasis is easy using praziquantel.
- Laxative use or induced vomiting are contraindicated because of the danger of autoinfection and systemic disease.
- Strict meat inspection, health education, cooking pork and beef well, hygiene, and widespread sanitary installations
- Avoid faecal contamination of soil, and human and animal food; avoid the use of raw sewage for irrigation of pasture soil; and to cook beef and pork thoroughly.
- Surgery may be necessary for obstructive hydrocephalus (due to intraventricular cysticerci)
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