Transcript Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm)

Samuel Perry
Introduction
 Monsters Inside
 Found world wide, but is common in regions where
humans work closely with pigs and eat ill-prepared
pork.
 Intermediate host – pigs
 Definitive host - humans
Anatomy
 Scolex – Common name for the “head”. All tapeworms, or
Cyclophyllids, have four suckers.
 Proglottids – The segments that form the body of the
tapeworm. Each proglottid contains both male and female
reproductive structures, allowing them to independently
reproduce. New proglottids are produced near the anterior
end of the tapeworm, pushing older segments to the
posterior end.
 Gravid Proglottids – When a proglottid reaches the tail of
the tapeworm, only the reproductive tract is left in tact.
The proglottid then drops off, creating a makeshift “egg
sac”, or gravid proglottid.
Anatomy
 Rostellum – The circular row of hooks that appear to
be teeth.
 Cysticercus – The larval cyst of the tapeworm, which,
if consumed through undercooked meat, attach to the
intestinal wall where it will develop proglottids as it
matures.
Life Cycle
Symptoms
 The condition when cysticerci develop in the
tissues/organs of humans of called cysticercosis.
 Symptoms depend on where the cysticerci form.
 Symptoms range from death to nothing at all.
 Symptoms of a normal intestinal infection include
malnutrition, abdominal discomfort, constipation,
diarrhea, and weight loss.
Treatment
 Praziquantel is the preferred drug to treat intestinal
infestations of tapeworms.
 Albendazole combined with steroid treatments are
used for patients with cysticercosis. Anti-seizure
medication may also be beneficial.
 Surgery can be used to remove problematic cysticerci.
Diagnosis
 Eggs and gravid proglottids found in the fecal matter
diagnose intestinal infections, not cysticercosis.
 Blood tests detect antibodies to the parasite.
 Tissue biopsies of the infected areas.
 CT scans, MRIs, and x-rays can detect lesions.
Prevention
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Avoid contact with pigs.
Do not consume raw or undercooked pork.
Do not eat pork from likely infested sources.
Cook meat at 150 degrees F.
Wash hands after using the bathroom.
Thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables before
eating.
 Drink only known sanitary water.
 Avoid drinking fountains or ice cubes in areas where pigs
roam freely or where sanitation is inadequate.
 Freezing is also effective, as cysticerci are known to die at
temperatures below -10 C and over 50 C.