Taenia Worm

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Informations about Taenia Worm.

Taenia or Tapeworm is the name of a multicellular parasite belonging to the family of the Platyhelminthes (flatworms).

This parasite, commonly known as tapeworm lives in the intestines of animals, including humans, where it can reach a length of eight meters.
The tapeworm has no digestive system, as it absorbs nutrients directly present in the intestine of the host. The tapeworm looks like a ribbon, with a head (scolex) characterized by the presence of hooks and suckers that allow it to adhere to the intestinal wall.
The rest of the body is divided into many small segments, clearly distinguishable, long about 1 - 1.5 cm. and called proglotidi (shape and color inspired by those typical of noodles).

During defecation a person hosting a tapeworm in the intestines also remove with the feces the eggs of the parasite, which can then go and settle on herbs and plants. Some animals that eat these plants are so infested by the larval form, which goes in their muscles. At this point a healthy individual who eats infected beef, will have a high probability of being in turn haunted by the tapeworm and developing so-called taeniasis (a disease caused by the tapeworm).

There are several species of tapeworms; the most common are:

Taenia solium:

its intermediate host is the pig or the boar, and reaches a length of 3-5 meters

Taenia saginata:

its intermediate host is the cattle or the buffalo, and reaches a length of eight meters; it is common in Islamic countries, since that religion forbids the consumption of pork. The

Fish Tapeworm

is the longest of all tapeworms, since it can grow up to 30 meters in length. It is transmitted to humans through meat, poorly cooked pike and trout (intermediate hosts).

The tapeworm is common throughout the world, so, every year there are approximately 50 million of cases. One of the European countries most affected was Germany, with a prevalence of 0.2-0.3% of the population. In industrialized countries the incidence of infestation by tapeworm is still much lower than that of the poorest countries, where health and hygiene standards are lower.

Tapeworm is particularly long-lived and if nothing is done surgically or pharmacologically it can live up to 25 years.

Symptoms of tapeworm: Initially the taeniasis is asymptomatic and only a few months after a tapeworm may show some signs.
The subject affected by tapeworms is hungry, but despite the huge amount of food ingested, he feels weak and tired, due to the combination of caloric deficit and vitamin deficiencies. They may also experience diarrhea alternating with constipation, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Diagnosis of tapeworm: the presence of the above symptoms should draw the attention of the subject.
A person may perceive to host a tapeworm through physical examination of the stool: if you notice any abnormalities, such as the presence of small yellowish segments, it is very important to promptly contact a physician. Through the analysis of faeces a specialized laboratory, he will confirms the actual presence of eggs of Tapeworm.

Prevention: the prevention of tapeworms is based on consumption of well cooked meat and the abolition of risk factors (it should be paid particular attention to meat consumed in underdeveloped countries).
In addition to cooking, even the freezing of the meat (at least -10 ° C for one week) lowers the risk of being infected by the tapeworm.

Care and treatment: specific drugs can remove the head of the parasite from the intestinal wall, thus promoting spontaneous evacuation. These medicines are used in combination with laxatives, which promotes natural elimination of worms and eggs. If these drugs are slow to take immediate results, a small surgery may be necessary.



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