Diseases Caused by Tapeworms
Taeniasis
Taeniasis is a parasitic infection caused by 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 (T. saginata) or pork (T. solium and T. asiatica). People with 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 seek treatment.
Proglottid of tapeworm
Diseases caused by tapeworms in other organisms
Dog tapeworm – In dogs and cats, tapeworm infections are common and found throughout the world. Pets get these worms by swallowing a flea infected with a tapeworm larvae. A dog or cat may swallow a flea while self-grooming. Once the flea is digested by the dog or cat, the larval tapeworm is able to develop into an adult tapeworm. Tapeworms are not usually harmful to your pet. Weight loss may occur if your pet is heavily infected. Sometimes, an infected dog will “scoot” or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area. Occasionally, a portion of this tapeworm will be passed when the dog vomits. If this happens, a worm several inches long may be seen.
Humans can contract tapeworms from their infected pets, but the risk is very low. For a person to become infected with Dipylidium, he or she must accidentally swallow an infected flea. Most reported cases involve children.
Fish tapeworm – In fish, the worm larvae is transmitted by copepods and then transmitted when the fish eats the copepod, and migrates to the flesh of fish. If a fish is caught and not thoroughly cooked, it can be eaten and the larval stages develops into an adult in the intestine of the final host, a human, or other mammal. Once in the intestines, it has been known to grow up to 30 feet long. Symptoms can include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Vitamin B12 deficiency leading to pernicious anemia may occur. Complications include intestinal obstruction and gall bladder disease caused by migration.