CESTODE (“tapeworms”) INFECTIONS (Micro made easy pp 254)

Cestode infections:

• The organisms in this category include: Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), saginata (beef tapeworm), Hymenolepsis nana (dwarf tapeworm), Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm).
  
• T. solium is acquired by ingestion of undercooked pork containing larvae cysticercus. Causes cysticercosis, where cysticerci form in human tissues.
• T. saginata is acquired by eating undercooked beef containing larvae cysticercus. Patients asymptomatic usually.
• Fish tapeworm is acquired when eating fish containing larvae. This tapeworm absorbs vit B12 Q causing anaemia. All of these tapeworms cause abdominal pain.
• Diagnosis: 1) Stool sample, look for eggs / gravid proglottids, 2) CAT scan, serology (cysticercosis).
• Treatment: Treat all cestode infections with praziquantel or niclosamide.

Category: Microbiology Notes