Pork tapeworm

Definition

Pork tapeworm, or Taenia solium, is a parasitic flatworm that can cause neurocysticercosis when its larvae infect the human brain. It is primarily acquired by consuming undercooked pork containing cysticerci.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of epilepsy in developing countries.
2. Humans become intermediate hosts by ingesting T. solium eggs from fecal contamination.
3. Symptoms of neurocysticercosis include seizures, headaches, and neurological deficits.
4. Diagnosis often involves imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans to detect cysts in the brain.
5. Treatment usually involves antiparasitic drugs such as albendazole, often combined with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

Review Questions

• How does a person acquire neurocysticercosis?
• What are the primary symptoms associated with neurocysticercosis?
• What imaging techniques are commonly used to diagnose neurocysticercosis?

Related terms

Cysticercus: The larval stage of Taenia solium found in tissues.

Albendazole: An antiparasitic medication used to treat infections caused by tapeworms.

Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.