What is Taeniasis? 🍖🦠
Taeniasis is an intestinal infection caused by tapeworms of the genus Taenia, mainly:
- Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm)
- Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
Humans become infected by consuming undercooked or raw beef or pork containing larval cysts.
How is Taeniasis Transmitted?
- Eating raw or undercooked beef (for T. saginata) or pork (for T. solium) containing cysticerci (larval cysts)
- Poor sanitation and hygiene can increase the risk of infection
Symptoms
- Many people are asymptomatic
- Mild abdominal discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Visible segments of the tapeworm (proglottids) in stool
- In T. solium infections, if larvae migrate to other tissues, it can cause cysticercosis — a serious condition where cysts form in muscles, eyes, or brain (neurocysticercosis)
Diagnosis
- Identification of eggs or proglottids in stool samples
- Imaging and serological tests for cysticercosis
Treatment
- Anti-parasitic medications such as praziquantel or niclosamide
- Surgery or other treatments may be necessary for cysticercosis
Prevention 🛡️
- Cook meat thoroughly to safe temperatures
- Maintain good personal hygiene and sanitation
- Control and inspect livestock health
- Avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat