Tapeworm infection

This infection is a result of infestation of tapeworm eggs or larvae through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Ingested tapeworm eggs migrate outside intestine and form larval cysts in the tissues and organs of body.

Symptoms

Usually intestinal tapeworm infection is asymptomatic. But sometimes intestinal tapeworm infection can presents as:

Nausea and weaknesses
Decrease appetite
Pain in abdomen
Diarrhea and dizziness
Craving for salt
Loss of weight with malabsorption of nutrients from food

Invasive tapeworm infection have following signs and symptoms:

Intense headache
Lumps or cystic masses
Seizures and other neurological symptoms
Anaphylactic reactions to the larvae

Causes

Tapeworm infection starts with the ingestion of tapeworm eggs or larvae from contaminated food or water. Food and water will be contaminated with faeces of person or animal having tapeworm. Inside the intestine, egg matures into larvae. Larvae then becomes mobile and comes out of intestine to form cysts in liver and other tissues.

Complications

Although complications are rare with tapeworm infection but it can cause:

Appendicitis
Neurocysticercosis
Dysfunction of organs like liver, lungs or other organs.
Anaphylactic reaction if cyst ruptures in the body.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis depends upon detailed medical history and following tests:

Analysis of stool sample
Blood tests
CT or MRI scans, X-rays, or ultrasounds of cysts

Treatment

Treatment options for intestinal infection include:

Medications like Praziquantel (Biltricide), Albendazole (Albenza), Nitazoxanide (Alinia)
Proper hygiene of hands especially after using toilet and before eating.

Treatment options for invasive infection include:

Prescribing medications like Anthelmintic drugs
Anti-inflammatory therapy
Anti-epileptic therapy
Shunt placement
Surgical removal of cysts is sometimes necessary

Tapeworm infection