Tapeworm infection

WikiDoc Resources for Tapeworm infection
Articles
Most recent articles on Tapeworm infection Most cited articles on Tapeworm infection Review articles on Tapeworm infection Articles on Tapeworm infection in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Tapeworm infection Images of Tapeworm infection Photos of Tapeworm infection Podcasts & MP3s on Tapeworm infection Videos on Tapeworm infection
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Tapeworm infection Bandolier on Tapeworm infection TRIP on Tapeworm infection
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Tapeworm infection at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Tapeworm infection Clinical Trials on Tapeworm infection at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Tapeworm infection NICE Guidance on Tapeworm infection NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Tapeworm infection CDC on Tapeworm infection
Books
Books on Tapeworm infection
News
Tapeworm infection in the news Be alerted to news on Tapeworm infection News trends on Tapeworm infection
Commentary
Blogs on Tapeworm infection
Definitions
Definitions of Tapeworm infection
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Tapeworm infection Discussion groups on Tapeworm infection Patient Handouts on Tapeworm infection Directions to Hospitals Treating Tapeworm infection Risk calculators and risk factors for Tapeworm infection
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Tapeworm infection Causes & Risk Factors for Tapeworm infection Diagnostic studies for Tapeworm infection Treatment of Tapeworm infection
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Tapeworm infection
International
Tapeworm infection en Espanol Tapeworm infection en Francais
Business
Tapeworm infection in the Marketplace Patents on Tapeworm infection
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Tapeworm infection

Adult tapeworm infection is the infection of the digestive tract by parasitic flatworms called cestodes or Woods. Live tapeworm larvae are sometimes ingested by consuming undercooked food. Once inside the digestive tract, the larva grows into an adult tapeworm, which can live for years and grow very large. Additionally, many tapeworm larvae cause symptoms in an intermediate host. For example, cysticercosis is a disease of humans involving larval tapeworms in the human body.

Common types

Among the most commonly tapeworms in humans are the pork tapeworm, the beef tapeworm, the fish tapeworm, and the dwarf tapeworm. Infections involving the pork and beef tapeworms are also called taeniasis. Tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus also infect animals and humans, and cause the most harm to intermediate hosts such as sheep and cattle. Infection with this type of tapeworm is referred to as Echinococcosis or hydatid disease. Symptoms vary widely, as do treatment options, and these issues are discussed in detail in the individual articles on each worm. With a few notable exceptions like the fish tapeworm, most cestodes that infect humans and livestock are cyclophyllids, and can be identified as such by the presence of four suckers on their scolex or "head."

Occurrence

Most occurrences are found in areas which lack adequate sanitation and included China and East Africa.

See also

• Ascariasis, an unrelated common disease caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides

External links

• Taeniasis - by A.D.A.M., Inc.