Did you know tapeworms can cause seizures?

Name
Taeniasis/cysticercosis

Transmission

• Taeniasis is a mild intestinal infection caused by tapeworms
• Humans get taeniasis by eating raw or undercooked beef and pork which contain tapeworm larvae called cysticerci
  • The tapeworm larvae live in the intestines where they become adult tapeworms
  • The larvae eggs and/or segments are passed out of the body in feces
  • These eggs can live and remain infectious for days to months in the environment
  • Without treatment, the tapeworms can live in the body for years
• Cysticercosis is a more serious infection that happens when the tapeworm larvae migrate through the body and form cysts in the brain, muscles, and other body tissues
  • When these cysts develop in the central nervous system, it is called neurocysticercosis (the most serious form and the most frequent preventable cause of epilepsy in the developing world)
  • People get cysticercosis by ingesting feces or touching contaminated surfaces containing the eggs and/or segments of the tapeworm (not from eating undercooked meat)
• Taeniasis and Cysticercosis are considered to be neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

Geography
Worldwide, but mostly in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa

Incubation Period

• Taeniasis: 6-8 weeks after ingestion of tapeworm larvae
• Cysticercosis: Incubation period is variable and some infected people remain asymptomatic for several years

Signs and Symptoms

Taeniasis: symptoms can be mild and some people do not develop any symptoms at all

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Visible segments of tapeworm in feces

Cysticercosis: Symptoms vary depending on the number, size, stage, and location of the cysts

• Headaches
• Seizures – (a major cause of adult onset seizures in low-income countries)
• Blindness
• Confusion/dementia
• Meningitis
• Stroke or death

Diagnosis

• Examination of feces samples for tapeworm eggs
• Cysticercosis diagnosis is based on patient’s symptoms and imaging studies (ex: CT scan)

Treatment

• There are a few medications available to treat taeniasis
• There is no specific treatment for cysticercosis, sometimes surgery and supportive epilepsy therapy are used (treatment is customized for the patient)

Prognosis

• Medications for taeniasis completely eradicate the tapeworms
• The prognosis of cysticercosis is variable and the percentage of patients who recover is unknown

Prevention: What Can You Do?

• Thoroughly cook your meat and do not eat raw or undercooked meat
• Wash your hands after using the toilet and changing diapers
• Wash your hands before handling food and practice proper food hygiene

Taeniasis In the News

• Doctors find tapeworm in man’s brain is to blame for years of headaches
• Tapeworms — It’s Not Just Cancer That Should Worry You

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/taeniasis/
http://www.who.int/taeniasis/en/