Taeniasis: Difference between revisions
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== Symptoms == |
== Symptoms == |
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Taeniasis is generally asymptomatic and is diagnosed when a portion of the worm is passed in the stool. Taeniasis is not fatal, although cysticercosis can cause epilepsy and neurocystocercosis can be fatal.<ref name="WHOtaeniasis" /><ref name="WHOtaeniasisTreatment">{{cite web|title=Signs, symptoms and treatment of taeniasis/cysticercosis|url=http://www.who.int/taeniasis/symptoms/en/|accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> |
Taeniasis is generally asymptomatic and is diagnosed when a portion of the worm is passed in the stool. Taeniasis is not fatal, although cysticercosis can cause epilepsy and neurocystocercosis can be fatal.<ref name="WHOtaeniasis" /><ref name="WHOtaeniasisTreatment">{{cite web|title=Signs, symptoms and treatment of taeniasis/cysticercosis|url=http://www.who.int/taeniasis/symptoms/en/|accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> |
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===Symptoms for infection with T. saginata=== |
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''T. saginata'' infection is usually [[asymptomatic]], but heavy infection often results in weight loss, [[dizziness]], [[abdominal pain]], [[diarrhea]], [[headache]]s, [[nausea]], [[constipation]], [[indigestion|chronic indigestion]], and loss of [[appetite]]. Intestinal obstruction in humans can be alleviated by surgery. The tapeworm can also expel [[antigen]]s that can cause an allergic reaction in the individual.<ref name=who>{{cite web|title=Taeniasis/Cysticercosis|url=http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs376/en/|work=WHO Fact sheet N°376|publisher=World Health Organization|accessdate=7 February 2014|year=2013}}</ref> It is an also rare cause of [[ileus]], [[pancreatitis]], cholecystitis, and [[cholangitis]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Uygur-Bayramiçli|first=O|author2=Ak, O |author3=Dabak, R |author4=Demirhan, G |author5= Ozer, S |title=''Taenia saginata'' a rare cause of acute cholangitis: a case report|journal=Acta Clinica Belgica|volume=67|issue=6|pages=436–7|pmid=23340150|year=2012 |doi=10.1179/ACB.67.6.2062709}}</ref> |
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== Transmission == |
== Transmission == |
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Revision as of 21:34, 29 November 2014
| Taeniasis | |
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| Specialty | Infectious diseases  |
Taeniasis is a form of tapeworm infection (helminthiasis) which is caused by tapeworms of the genus Taenia. The worm remains in the intestine until it reaches a length of about 3 feet (1 metre or so). The two most important human pathogens in the genus are Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm) and Taenia saginata (the beef tapeworm). Infection is acquired by eating undercooked beef and pork that contain the fluid-filled cysticercuses of either tapeworm species. The adult worms live in the lumen of the intestine where it causes very few symptoms. It absorbs all its nutrients directly from the host's small intestine, which in some cases can leave the patient with depleted strength. The eggs of the worm break off in the form of segments, known as gravid proglottids, from the mature worm and pass out in the faeces of the infected person. If they are consumed by an intermediate host such as a cow or pig, these oncospheres hatch within the duodenum under the presence of gastric juices and penetrate through the intestinal wall into nearby blood vessels, where they then enter the bloodstream. Upon reaching a suitable site (often within the skeletal muscles, liver or lungs of the intermediate host) these larvae then develop into a cyst, which then becomes a fluid-filled cysticercus. When this contaminated tissue is consumed raw or undercooked by a human, the worm matures in the patient's small intestine.
Taeniasis is a tapeworm larvae infection whilst Cysticercosis is an adult tapeworm infection, and both of them belong to the group of neglected tropical diseases.[1] They are the most common infections of the central nervous system.[2]
Symptoms
Taeniasis is generally asymptomatic and is diagnosed when a portion of the worm is passed in the stool. Taeniasis is not fatal, although cysticercosis can cause epilepsy and neurocystocercosis can be fatal.[2][3]
Symptoms for infection with T. saginata
T. saginata infection is usually asymptomatic, but heavy infection often results in weight loss, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, constipation, chronic indigestion, and loss of appetite. Intestinal obstruction in humans can be alleviated by surgery. The tapeworm can also expel antigens that can cause an allergic reaction in the individual.[4] It is an also rare cause of ileus, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and cholangitis.[5]
Transmission
Cysticercosis is usually contracted after eating undercooked contaminated pork. Taeniasis occurs after ingestion of contaminated food, water, or soil.[6]
Prevalence
It is found in Asia, Africa, Latin America, particularly on farms in which pigs are exposed to human excrement.
Prevention
Infection can be prevented through stricter meat-inspection standards, livestock confinement, improved hygiene and sanitation, health education, safe meat preparation, and identifying and treating human and pig carriers.[7]
The best way to avoid getting tapeworms is to not eat undercooked pork. Moreover, a high level of sanitation and prevention of faecal contamination of pig feeds also plays a major role in prevention. Infection can be prevented with proper disposal of human faeces around pigs, cooking meat thoroughly and/or freezing the meat at −10°C for 5 days. For human cysticercosis, dirty hands are attributed to be the primary cause, and especially common among food handlers.[8] Therefore, personal hygiene such as washing one's hands before eating is an effective measure.
Treatment
Oral anti-parasitic drugs such as praziquantel are the treatment of choice. Treatment with praziquantel has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is quite effective against these parasites.[9]
Epidemiology
Epidemiology for infection with Taenia saginata
The disease is relatively common in Africa, some parts of Eastern Europe, the Philippines, and Latin America.[10] This parasite is found anywhere where beef is eaten, even in countries such as the United States, with strict federal sanitation policies. In the US, the incidence of infection is low, but 25% of cattle sold are still infected.[11] The total global infection is estimated to be between 40 and 60 million.[12] It is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.[13]
References
- ^ "Neglected Tropical Diseases". cdc.gov. June 6, 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "About Taeniasis/cysticercosis". Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Signs, symptoms and treatment of taeniasis/cysticercosis". Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Taeniasis/Cysticercosis". WHO Fact sheet N°376. World Health Organization. 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
- ^ Uygur-Bayramiçli, O; Ak, O; Dabak, R; Demirhan, G; Ozer, S (2012). "Taenia saginata a rare cause of acute cholangitis: a case report". Acta Clinica Belgica. 67 (6): 436–7. doi:10.1179/ACB.67.6.2062709. PMID 23340150.
- ^ "Transmission of taeniasis/cysticercosis". Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Surveillance, prevention and control of taeniasis/cysticercosis". Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ Garcia, Oscar H. Del Brutto, Hector H. (2014). "Taenia solium: Biological Characteristics and Life Cycle". Cysticercosis of the Human Nervous System (1., 2014 ed.). Berlin: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG. pp. 11–21. ISBN 978-3-642-39021-0.
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