Taeniasis, popularly known as solitary, is a verminosis caused by the adult worm of Taenia sp. which can make it difficult to absorb nutrients from food and cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, weight loss or abdominal pain, for example.
Taeniasis is transmitted by eating raw or undercooked beef or pork that is contaminated with the parasite.
To avoid taeniasis, it is important to avoid consuming raw beef or pork, and wash your hands and food well before preparing them. If taeniasis is suspected, it is important to go to the general practitioner so that tests can be carried out and treatment can be started, which is normally done with Niclosamide or Praziquantel.
Taeniasis symptoms
The main symptoms of taeniasis are:
- Frequent diarrhea or constipation;
- Nausea;
- Dor abdominal;
- Headache;
- Lack or increase in appetite;
- Dizziness;
- Weakness;
- Irritability;
- Weight loss;
- Fatigue and insomnia.
In children, taeniasis can cause delayed growth and development, as well as difficulty gaining weight. The presence of Taenia sp. in the intestinal wall can cause hemorrhage and lead to the production and release of little or a lot of mucus.
The initial infection by Taenia sp. does not lead to the appearance of symptoms, however, as the parasite attaches to the intestinal wall and develops, symptoms of infection may be noticed.
Check out the main symptoms of taeniasis and other worms:
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of taeniasis is often difficult as most people infected with Taenia sp. They do not present symptoms, and when they do appear, they are similar to those of other gastrointestinal infectious diseases.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor usually evaluates the symptoms presented and requests a fecal examination to check for the presence of eggs or proglottids. Taenia sp., making it possible to confirm the diagnosis.
Transmission of taeniasis
The life cycle of taeniasis can be represented as follows:
Generally, taeniasis is acquired by consuming pork or beef contaminated with tapeworm larvae, which lodge in the small intestine and evolve into the adult form. After about 3 months, the tapeworm begins to release so-called proglottids in the feces, which are segments of its body that contain reproductive organs and eggs.
Tape soles e Taenia saginata
A Tape soles it’s at Taenia saginata They are the parasites responsible for taeniasis, they are white in color, have a flat, ribbon-shaped body and can be differentiated according to their host and characteristics of the adult worm.
A Tape soles Its host is pigs and, therefore, transmission occurs when raw meat from an infected pig is ingested. The adult worm Tape soles It has a head with suction cups and a rostrum, which corresponds to a structure formed by sickle-shaped spikes that allow adhesion to the intestinal wall. In addition to causing taeniasis, Tape soles is also responsible for cysticercosis.
A Taenia saginata Its host is cattle and is only associated with taeniasis. The adult worm Taenia saginata It has an unarmed head and no rostrum, with only suction cups to attach the parasite to the intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, the pregnant proglottids of Tape soles are larger than the Taenia saginata.
Species differentiation cannot be made through analysis of the egg found in the fecal examination. Differentiation is only possible through observation of the proglottids or through molecular or immunological tests, such as PCR and ELISA, for example.
Difference between taeniasis and cysticercosis
Taeniasis is the main infection caused by Taenia sp., however, depending on the form of contamination, this same parasite can cause different diseases:
- Taeniasis: is caused by the consumption of tapeworm larvae present in beef or pork, which grows and lives in the small intestine;
- Cysticercosis: occurs when the tapeworm eggs are ingested, which release their larvae capable of crossing the stomach wall and reaching the bloodstream, reaching other organs such as muscles, heart and eyes, for example.
It is important that the type of infection is identified so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for taeniasis usually begins with the use of antiparasitic medications, administered in the form of tablets, which can be made at home, but must be prescribed by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist.
These remedies can be taken in a single dose or divided over 3 days, and usually include one of the following:
- Niclosamida2 g orally for adults and 50 mg/kg for children, in a single dose, may be indicated;
- Praziquantelwith 5 to 10 mg/kg orally recommended for adults and children orally, in a single dose;
- Albendazoleand a dose of 400 mg per day for 3 days may be recommended.
Treatment with these remedies only eliminates the adult version of the tapeworm that is in the intestine through feces, and does not eliminate its eggs. For this reason, the person undergoing treatment can continue infecting other people until all the eggs are eliminated from the intestine.
Therefore, it is recommended that during treatment you maintain precautions that prevent the transmission of the disease, such as cooking food well, avoiding drinking unbottled water and washing your hands thoroughly after going to the bathroom, as well as before cooking.
How to prevent
To prevent taeniasis, it is recommended not to consume raw or undercooked meat, drink mineral, filtered or boiled water, wash food well before consuming and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before meals.
Furthermore, it is also important to give clean water to the animals and not fertilize the land with human feces, as this makes it possible to prevent not only taeniasis, but also other infectious diseases.
