CESTODES (TAPEWORMS)

Question 1

What kind of pathogen are cestodes/tapeworms?

Answer 1

Parasite

Question 2

What are the strains of cestodes?

Answer 2

Tapeworm solium, diphyllobothrium, echinococcus

Question 3

How are tapeworms/cestodes transmitted?

Answer 3

-Eating infected meat

Question 4

What is the pathogenesis of tapeworms?

Answer 4

-primary host (animal) eats eggs
-eggs hatch and tapeworms encyst in the muscles of the animal
-secondary host (human) eats the improperly cooked meat of primary host (animal)
-Tapeworms develop and can migrate in different parts of the body in humans

***IF HUMANS EAT THEM DIRECTLY (HUMAN=PRIMARY HOST), the tapeworms will be limited to the GI tract

***Can grow up to 100 FEET

Question 5

What is the presentation of a T.solium tapeworm infection?

Answer 5

-Cycsticercosis (cyst formation) anywhere in the body but mostly in the CNS and muscles
-Typically will be symptomatic:
calcifies soft tissue lesions

Neuro:
-can cause inflammatory response/headaches
-if cysts break down from inflammation: new onset seizures
-If blocking ventricles: hydrocephalus

Question 6

How can an infection by T. solium be treated?

Answer 6

-Surgery for cysticercosis
-Albendazole
-Praziquantel
-Dexamethasone

Question 7

How would an infection of Diphylloborthrium present?

Answer 7

Anemia (interferes with absorption in ileum)

Question 8

How can an infection of Diphylloborthrium be treated?

Answer 8

B-12

Question 9

How does an infection of Echinococcus present?

Answer 9

Invades other organs via portal circulation, will be asymptomatic until the systs affect the organ (5-10 years)

Question 10

How can an infection of Echinococcus be treated?

Answer 10

-Albendazole and surgery if needed (surgical excision for localized infection)