Taeniasis, also called tapeworm disease or cestodiasis, is a parasitic infestation by Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm), or Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm). Taeniasis is usually a chronic, benign intestinal disease; however, infestation with T. solium may cause dangerous systemic and central nervous system symptoms if larvae invade the brain and striated muscle of vital organs.
T. saginata, T. solium, and D. latum are transmitted to humans by ingestion of beef, pork, or fish that contains tapeworm cysts. Gastric acids break down these cysts in the stomach, liberating them to mature. Mature tapeworms fasten to the intestinal wall and produce ova that are passed in the feces. Transmission of H. nana is direct from person to person and requires no intermediate host; it completes its life cycle in the intestine. (See Common tapeworm infestations.)
Taeniasis may produce mild symptoms, such as nausea, flatulence, hunger sensations, weight loss, diarrhea, and increased appetite, or no symptoms at all. Occasionally, worm segments may exit through the anus and appear on bed clothes.
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis of tapeworm infestations requires laboratory observation of tapeworm ova or body segments in feces.
Because ova aren’t excreted continuously, confirmation may require multiple specimens. A supporting dietary or travel history aids confirmation.
The drug of choice for tapeworm infection is niclosamide, but praziquantel and albendazole can also be used.
Laxative use or induced vomiting are contraindicated because of the danger of autoinfection and systemic disease.
After drug treatment, tapeworm infestation requires a follow-up laboratory examination of stool specimens during the next 3 to 5 weeks to check for any remaining ova or worm segments. Persistent infestation typically requires a second course of medication.
❑Obtain a complete history, including recent travel to endemic areas, dietary habits, and physical symptoms.
❑Dispose of the patient's excretions carefully. Wear gloves when giving personal care and handling fecal excretions, bedpans, and bed linens; wash your hands thoroughly, and tell the patient to do the same.
❑Use enteric precautions. Avoid procedures and drugs that may cause vomiting or gagging. If the patient is a child or is incontinent, he requires a private room. Obtain a list of contacts.
❑To prevent reinfection, teach proper hand-hygiene technique and the need to cook meat and fish thoroughly. Stress the need for follow-up evaluations to monitor the success of therapy and to detect possible reinfection.
Review other book chapters online related to Taeniasis:
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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Title: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition) Authors: Springhouse Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2005 ISBN: 1-58255-370-X 
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