Alternative MedicinesInfectionInjuries
Drugs
   Actinomycosis
   Adenoviral Infections
   Amebiasis
   Ascariasis
   Blastomycosis
   Botulism
   Brucellosis
   Candidiasis
   Chancroid
   Chlamydial Infections
   Cholera
   Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
   Clostridium Difficile Infection
   Coccidioidomycosis
   Colorado Tick Fever
   Common Cold
   Cryptococcosis
   Cryptosporidiosis
   Cytomegalovirus Infection
   Diphtheria
   Ebola Virus Infection
   Enterobiasis
   Escherichia Coli
   Gas Gangrene
   Genital Warts
   Giardiasis
   Gonorrhea
   Haemophilus Influenzae Infection
   Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
   Herpangina
   Herpes Simplex
   Herpes Zoster
   Histoplasmosis
   Hookworm Disease
   Infectious Mononucleosis
   Influenza
   Legionnaires' Disease
   Leprosy
   Listeriosis
   Lyme Disease
   Malaria
   Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
   Mumps
   Necrotizing Fasciitis
   Nocardiosis


Taeniasis

Also called cestodiasis and commonly called tapeworm, taeniasis is a parasitic infection that can result from several types of parasites. The incidence of tapeworm infestation varies with the type.

Tapeworm usually is a chronic but benign intestinal disease. However, infestation with Taenia solum may cause dangerous systemic and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms if larvae invade the brain and striated muscle of vital organs. Tapeworm seldom is fatal unless it isn't treated.

Causes

Tapeworm infection is acquired by eating raw or undercooked meat of infected animals. Beef generally carryTaenia saginata while pigs carryTaenia solium. The larvae from the infected meat develop in the human intestine into the adult tapeworm -- which can grow to longer than 12 feet.

Tapeworms are segmented, with each segment (proglottid) capable of producing eggs. Eggs are dispersed by individual or groups of proglottids detaching and passing out with the stool. The groups of proglottids from the beef tapeworm are capable of movement and actively crawl out through the anus.

Symptoms and Signs

Tapeworm infestation does not usually cause any symptoms. Infection is generally recognized when the infected person passes segments of proglottids in the stool, especially if the segment is moving.

Diagnostic tests

Observation of tapeworm ova or body segments in stool allows diagnosis of a tapeworm infestation. Because ova aren't excreted continuously, confirmation may require multiple specimens.

Treatment

Administration of praziquantel cures up to 95% of patients. In beef, pork, and fish tapeworm infestation, the patient receives the drug once; in severe dwarf tapeworm infestation, twice (5 to 7 days each, spaced 2 weeks apart).

After drug treatment, all types of tapeworm infestation require follow-up stool specimens during the next 3 to 5 weeks to check for remaining ova or worm segments. Persistent infestation requires a second course of medication.

Prevention

In the U.S., laws governing feeding practices and inspection of domestic food animals have largely eliminated the problem of tapeworm. Adequate cooking of meat destroys the tapeworm larvae and will prevent infection by tapeworm. Good hygiene and hand washing after using the toilet will prevent self-infection in a person already infected with tapeworms.

   Parainfluenza
   Pertussis
   Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia
   Poliomyelitis
   Pseudomonas Infections
   Rabies
   Relapsing Fever
   Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
   Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
   Roseola Infantum
   Rotavirus
   Rubella
   Rubeola
   Salmonella Infection
   Scarlet Fever
   Schistosomiasis
   Shigellosis
   Sporotrichosis
   Strongyloidiasis
   Syphilis
   Taeniasis
   Tetanus
   Toxic Shock Syndrome
   Toxoplasmosis
   Trichinosis
   Trichomoniasis
   Vancomycin Intermittent-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
   Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
   Varicella
   West Nile Encephalitis

© Doctor-clinic.org. All rights reserved.

Bookmark This Page: