Taenia Solium

WHAT IS IT?

Taenia solium (also known as pork tapeworm) is a parasitic cestode (tapeworm).

Visual appearance of the Taneia solium tapeworm (source)
Visual appearance of the Taneia solium tapeworm (source)
LIFE CYCLE

Ingested eggs hatch in the intestine and pass through the intestinal wall. They migrate preferentially toward the brain/muscles where they form cysts that can remain dormant for years. Once active, they can cause local inflammatory reactions that can result in myalgia or seizures (depending on where the cyst is).

Life cycle of the tapeworm (source)
Life cycle of the tapeworm (source)
TRANSMISSION

Ingestion of either eggs or larvae: 

  • Eggs are ingested via the fecal-oral route
  • Larvae are commonly ingested from undercooked pork
CONDITIONS CAUSED

The diseases that develop will depend on if the larvae or the eggs are ingested. 

  • Ingestion of eggs: Cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis
  • Ingestion of larvae: intestinal infection.
TREATMENT

Praziquantel is first-line for this parasite.

Albendazole/steroids is used for neurocysticercosis that is symptomatic.

OTHER HY FACTS

This is the most common tapeworm infection the brain worldwide. Most common cause of seizures/epilepsy in the developing world.

 

Page Updated: 07.15.2016