Cestodes (tapeworms)

Question 1

Organisms

Answer 1

• tapeworms from beef - taenia saginata ​
• ​tapeworms from pork - taenia solium

tapeworms have a head that is attached to segments, known as proglottids, that form a chain.

T. saginata- can grow up to 10m in length and has suckers on the head

T. solium - has suckers and hooks and can reach a mazimum of 6m

Question 2

transmisison

Answer 2

are acquired by ingesting meat contaminated with taenia larvae

Question 3

pathogenesis

Answer 3

• taenia larvae develop into tapeworms in the GI tract and reside in the small bowel

Question 4

Clinical features

Answer 4

• mild abomnal pain and diarrhoea
• infection discovered by finding proglottids in the faeeces or seeing these in underwear or in the bed

Question 5

Investigations

Answer 5

visualising the proglottids or detecting the ova in faeces or perianal swabs

Question 6

treatment

Answer 6

• niclosamide or praziquantel
• T solium is necessary to flush the stomach through with saline to prevent immediate reinfection