Tapeworm infection
| Tapeworm infection | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Infectious diseases  |
Adult tapeworm infection is the infection of the digestive tract by parasitic flatworms called cestodes or Woods. Tapeworm larvae are sometimes ingested by consuming undercooked food. Once inside the digestive tract, the larva grows into an adult tapeworm, which can live for years and grow very large. Additionally, many tapeworm larvae cause symptoms in an intermediate host. For example, cysticercosis is a disease of humans involving larval tapeworms in the human body.
Common types of infection
Among the most common tapeworms in humans are the pork tapeworm, the beef tapeworm, the fish tapeworm, and the dwarf tapeworm. Infections involving the pork and beef tapeworms are also called taeniasis. Symptoms vary widely, as do treatment options, and these issues are discussed in detail in the individual articles on each worm. With a few notable exceptions like the fish tapeworm, most cestodes that infect humans and livestock are cyclophyllids, and can be identified as such by the presence of four suckers on their scolex or "head."
Tapeworms are also found within several animals,and can cause harm to mostly sheep and cows.The most common species of Tapeworms is the Hydatid Tapeworm.
Occurrence
Most occurrences are found in areas which lack adequate sanitation and included China and East Africa.[1]
See also
- Ascariasis, an unrelated common disease caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides
References
External links
- Taeniasis - by A.D.A.M., Inc.
- Tapeworm Infestation - by eMedicine
- Tapeworm Infection - Health in Plain English (with pictures)