taeniasis

Also known as Taenia saginata infectious disease, Beef tapeworm infection, Infection by Taeniarhynchus saginatus

Taeniasis is an infection within the intestines by adult tapeworms belonging to the genus Taenia. There are generally no or only mild symptoms. Symptoms may occasionally include weight loss or abdominal pain. Segments of tapeworm may be seen in the stool. Complications of pork tapeworm may include cysticercosis.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).name: Taeniasis
Medical condition (new).image: Taenia saginata LifeCycle.gif
Medical condition (new).caption: The life cycle of Taenia saginata, the beef tapeworm
Medical condition (new).field: Infectious disease
Medical condition (new).symptoms: None, weight loss, abdominal pain
Medical condition (new).complications: Pork tapeworm: cysticercosis
Medical condition (new).types: Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm)
Medical condition (new).causes: Infection with adult tapeworms
Medical condition (new).risks: Eating contaminated undercooked pork or beef
Medical condition (new).diagnosis: Examination of stool samples
Medical condition (new).prevention

~7 min read

Article

13 sections

Contents

Signs and symptoms
Pork tapeworm
Beef tapeworm
Asian tapeworm
Transmission
Diagnosis
Prevention
Treatment
Epidemiology
Regions
See also
References
External links

Types of Taenia that cause infections in humans include Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm). Taenia saginata is due to eating contaminated undercooked beef while Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica is from contaminated undercooked pork. Diagnosis is by examination of stool samples.