Tape worms (cestoda) are intestinal parasites that are shaped like a tape measure. They are highly diversified group of ubiquitous endoparasites that generally have a two-phased life cycle

1. ESTAM FORMATION
UNIVERSITY
SEME CAMPUS,COTONOU,
BENIN REPUBLIC

2. DELIGHT ANTHONY-NWAEKE
ONYINYECHI
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
200L
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND
PARASITOLOGY

3. TOPIC
Tape worm, tape
worm of man and
other human
cestodes

4. Tape worms (cestoda) are intestinal parasites that are shaped like a tape measure. They
are highly diversified group of ubiquitous endoparasites that generally have a two-phased
life cycle. An adult tape worm consists of a head, neck, and chain of segments called
proglottids. When you have an intestinal tape worm infection, the tapeworm head adheres
to the intestinal wall, and the proglottids grow and produce eggs. Adult tape worm can live
up to 20-30 years in a host.
Intestinal tape worm infections are usually mild, with only one or two adult tapeworms.
But invasive larval infections(when the tapeworm has migrated from the intestines to other
tissues forming cysts) can cause serious complications. Tape worm infection is caused by
ingesting food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae.

5. The life cycle- a perfoliata requires an intermediate host. Infected horses pass tapeworm eggs onto
the pasture where they are consumed by free-living oribatid mites. The eggs develop into larvae
within the mite until the mite is ingested by a grazing horse, allowing the larvae to be released into
intestine. The larvae completes their life cycle by attaching to the lining of the intestines where they
develop into adult tapeworms capable of releasing eggs.
The body of an adult tapeworm(termed the strobili) is composed of a chain of increasingly mature
segments (called proglottids). Each segment is self sufficient and complete with male and female
reproductive organs which develop at different rates. New segments are constantly being produced
behind the head (scolex) and they develop progressively as they are pushed towards the posterior
end. Mature segments are gravid(full of fertilized eggs) and are ready to detach from the body of the
tapeworm to pass within the faeces into the environment, whereupon they can be eaten by oribatid
mites and the cycle begins again.

7. Tapeworm of man
Taeniasis in human is a parasitic infection caused by the
tapeworm species Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm),
Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian
tapeworm). Humans can become infected with these
tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked beef. Peoplw
eith taeniasis may not know they have a tapeworm
infection because symptoms are usually mild or
nonexistent.
Taenia solium tapeworm infections can lead to
cysticercosis, which is a disease that can cause seizures,
so it is important to seek treatment.

8. Signs and symptoms
Sometimes tapeworms can cause symptoms such as:
o Nausea
o Weakness
o Diarrhoea
o Abdominal pain
o Hunger or loss of appetite
o Fatigue
o Weight loss
o Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
However, often tapeworms do not cause symptoms. The only
sign of tapeworm infection may be segments of the worms,
possibly moving, in a bower movement.

9. causes
Tapeworms have a three-stage lifecycle: egg, immature stage
called a larvae, and an adult stage at which the worm can
produce more eggs. Because larvae can get into the muscles
of their hosts, infection can occur when you eat raw or
undercooked meat from an infected animal.
It is also possible to contract pork tapeworms from foods
prepared by an infected person. Because tapeworms egg are
passed with bowel movements, a person who does not wash
hands well after wiping and then prepares food can
contaminate the food.

10. Risk factors
Factors that may put you at greater risk of tapeworm
infection includes:
1. Poor hygiene- infrequent washing and bathing increases
the risk of accidental transfer of contaminated matter
into mouth.
2. Exposure to livestock-this is especially problematic in
areas where human and animal feces are not disposed
properly.
3. Travelling to developing countries- infection occurs
more frequently in areas with poor sanitation practices.
4. Eating raw and undercooked meat- improper cooking
may fail to kill the tapeworm eggs and larvae contained
in contaminated pork and beef.
5. Living in endemic areas.

11. Complications
Intestinal tapeworm infections usually do not cause complications. If complications occur,
they may include:
1. Digestive blockage- if tapeworm grows large enough, they might block your appendix,
leading to infection (appendicitis); your bile ducts which carries bile from your liver and
gallbladder to your intestine; or your pancreatic duct, which carries digestive fluids
from your pancreas to your intestine.
2. Organ function disruption- when larvae migrates to liver, lungs, and other organs, they
become cysts. Over time, these cysts grow, sometimes large enough to crowd the
functioning part of the organ to reduce its blood supply
3. Brain and central nervous system impairment. Called neurocysticercosisthis could lead
to death.
A ruptured and leaking cyst can cause an allergy-like reaction, with itching, hives, swelling,
and difficulty breathing.

12. Prevention
• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or handling
food and after using the toilet.
• Eliminate livestock exposure to tapeworm eggs by properly
disposing of animal and human feces.
• Avoid eating raw and undercooked beef, pork, or fish.
• Promptly treat dogs infected with tapeworm infection.
• Thoroughly cook meat at a temperature of at least 145f (63c) to
kill tapeworm eggs or larvae.

13. Treatments
If you suspect that you have tapeworm, see your doctor. Diagnosing a tapeworm infection
may require a stool sample to identify the type of worm.
If worms are not detected in the stool, your doctor may order a blood test to check for
antibodies produced to fight tapeworm infection. For serious cases, your doctor may use
imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
to check for tape lesions or secondary swelling outside of the digestive tract. The type of
length of treatment may depend on the type of tapeworm you have.
Tapeworms are usually treated with medicines taken by mouth. The most commonly used
medicine for tapeworms is praziquantel (Biltricide).

14. Other human cestodes
1. Spirometra
2. Diphyllobothrium
3. Hymenolepis
4. dipylidiu,m caninium
5. Echinococcus
6. Taenia multiceps

15. • References
Bennett JE, et al,.,eds. Tapeworms (cestodes). In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s
principles and Practice of infectious diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders
Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Acessed Sept. 2, 2017.