Taenia saginata

Background

• Also known as the beef tapeworm
• Humans are the only known definitive host, cattle are intermediate hosts

Transmission

• Transmitted by ingesting undercooked beef containing the tapeworm larvae
• Larvae mature in the human intestines and the mature tapeworm attaches to the intestinal walls to ingest nutrients from the host
• Mature tapeworms release gravid proglottids in the stool which release eggs into the stool, which can remain active in sewage for several weeks

Clinical Features

• Often asymptommatic

Symptoms are more severe in those with immature or compromised immune systems

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Hunger pain
• Weight loss
• Anal discomfort

Differential Diagnosis

Helminth infections

Cestodes (Tapeworms)

• Taenia saginata
• Taenia solium (Cysticercosis)
• Diphyllobothrium latum
• Hymenolepis nana
• Echinococcus granulosus

Trematodes (Flukes)

• Fasciola hepatica
• Fasciolopsis buski
• Opistorchis viverrini
• Schistosoma spp
  • Schistosomiasis
• Chlonorchis sinensis
• Paragonimus spp.

Nematodes (Roundworms)

• Ascaris lumbricoides
• Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
• Filarial worms
  • Loa Loa
  • Onchocerciasis
  • Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis)
    • Wuchereria bancrofti
    • Brugia malayi
    • Brugia timori
• Hookworm
  • Necator americanus
  • Ancylostoma duodenale
  • Cutaneous larva migrans (Ancylostoma braziliense)
• Dracunculus medinensis
• Strongyloides stercoralis
• Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
• Anisakis
• Toxocara spp.
• Trichinosis

Evaluation

• Stool studies to detect ova and proglottids
• CBC may show eosinophilia
• CT/MRI/LP if concern for neurocysticercosis

Management

• Praziquantel - single dose of 5-10mg/kg
• Albendazole
• May give both albendazole and praziquantel for severe infections

See Also

• Microbiology (Main)

References

Authors

Nicole Zadzilka, Michael Holtz, Ross Donaldson, Neil Young, Claire