References:
- Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network: Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2013 eBook Edition, ISBN 978-1-61755-582-4, by Stephen Berger. Accessed here.
| Agent | PARASITE - Platyhelminthes, Cestoda. Cyclophyllidea, Taeniidae: Taenia solium & T. saginata (other species occasionally encountered) |
| Reservoir | Cattle Pig |
| Vector | None |
| Vehicle | Meat |
| Incubation Period | 6 to 14 weeks |
| Diagnostic Tests | Identification of ova or proglottids in feces. |
| Typical Adult Therapy | Praziquantel 10 mg/kg PO as single dose OR Niclosamide 2 g PO once |
| Typical Pediatric Therapy | Praziquantel 10 mg/kg PO as single dose OR Niclosamide 50 mg/kg PO once |
| Clinical Hints | Vomiting and weight loss; often symptomatic or first appreciated due to passage of proglottids or ‘tape’ segments; parasite may survive for over 25 years in the human intestine. |
| Synonyms | Bandwurmer (Taenia), Drepanidotaenia, Gordiid worm, Hair snake, Mesocestoides, Raillietina, Taenia longihamatus, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Taenia taeniaformis, Taeniarhynchiasis, Tapeworm (pork or beef), Tenia. |
Most cases of Taenia infestation are subclinical.
Symptomatic taeniasis may be associated with nausea, vomiting, epigastric fullness, weight loss or diarrhea.
- Taenia saginata often becomes apparent when motile proglottids are passed through the anus; however, this is uncommon with T. solium infestations.
- Eosinophilia is not a prominent finding.
- Rare complications include appendicitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis or intestinal obstruction.