Tapeworm Infections

Tapeworm infections, caused by various species of flatworms known as cestodes, affect humans and animals worldwide. Common tapeworms include Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, and Diphyllobothrium latum. These parasites have complex life cycles involving intermediate hosts, such as pigs, cattle, and fish, and definitive hosts, typically humans. Clinical manifestations of tapeworm infections vary depending on the species involved. In intestinal tapeworm infections, symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss. Neurocysticercosis, a severe complication of Taenia solium infection, occurs when larvae migrate to the central nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms. Diagnosis of tapeworm infections involves a combination of clinical assessment, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Stool examinations can detect tapeworm eggs or segments, while imaging techniques like ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) may reveal cysticerci in tissues. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), aid in the diagnosis of certain tapeworm infections.