Taeniasis
Taeniasis is an infection within the intestines by adult tapeworms belonging to the genus Taenia. There are generally no or only mild symptoms. Symptoms may occasionally include weight loss or abdominal pain. Segments of tapeworm may be seen in the stool. Complications of pork tapeworm may include cysticercosis.
| Taeniasis | |
|---|---|
| The life cycle of Taenia saginata, the beef tapeworm | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | None, weight loss, abdominal pain |
| Complications | Pork tapeworm: cysticercosis |
| Types | Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm) |
| Causes | Infection with adult tapeworms |
| Risk factors | Eating contaminated undercooked pork or beef |
| Diagnostic method | Examination of stool samples |
| Prevention | Properly cooking meat |
| Treatment | Praziquantel, niclosamide |
| Frequency | 50 million (with cysticercosis) |
Types of Taenia that cause infections in humans include Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm). Taenia saginata is due to eating contaminated undercooked beef while Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica is from contaminated undercooked pork. Diagnosis is by examination of stool samples.
Prevention is by properly cooking meat. Treatment is generally with praziquantel, though niclosamide may also be used. Together with cysticercosis, infections affect about 50 million people globally. The disease is most common in the developing world. In the United States less than 1,000 cases occur a year.