Tapeworm infection : Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. If you ingest certain tapeworm eggs, they can migrate outside your intestines and form larval cysts in body tissues and organs (invasive infection). If you ingest tapeworm larvae, however, they develop into adult tapeworms in your intestines (intestinal infection).
An adult tapeworm consists of a head, neck and chain of segments called proglottids. When you have an intestinal tapeworm infection, the tapeworm head adheres to the intestine wall, and the proglottids grow and produce eggs. Adult tapeworms can live for up to 20 years in a host. Intestinal tapeworm infections are usually mild, but invasive larval infections can cause serious complications.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of intestinal infection include:
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss and inadequate absorption of nutrients from food
Treatments for intestinal infections
The most common treatment for tapeworm infection involves oral medications that are toxic to the adult tapeworm, including:
• Praziquantel (Biltricide)
• Albendazole (Albenza)
• Nitazoxanide (Alinia)
Treatments for invasive infections
Treating an invasive infection depends on the location and effects of the infection.
• Anthelmintic drugs. Albendazole (Albenza) can shrink some tapeworm cysts.
• Anti-inflammatory therapy. Dying tapeworm cysts can cause swelling or inflammation in tissues or organs such as prednisone or dexamethasone, to reduce inflammation.
• Anti-epileptic therapy. If the disease is causing seizures, anti-epileptic medications can stop them.
• Shunt placement. One type of invasive infection can cause too much fluid on the brain, called hydrocephalus.
• Surgery. Whether cysts can be removed surgically depends on their location and symptoms. Cysts that develop in the liver, lungs and eyes are typically removed, since they can eventually threaten organ function.