Taenia Solium Infection: Taeniasis And Cysticercosis

Taenia solium causes 2 distinct infections in humans:  taeniasis (pork tapeworm) and cysticercosis.  Taeniasis occurs when humans ingest an immature form of the worm in contaminated, undercooked pork meat.  The worm matures in the human digestive tract and releases eggs in the stool.  Although pork tapeworm does not generally cause symptoms, cysticercosis can occur when the eggs are incidentally ingested by the individual (autoinnoculation), household contacts, or members of the community.  The eggs mature into larvae and form cysts in host tissue (eg, brain, ventricles, eye).  Months or years later the cysts degrade, leading to symptoms (eg, new-onset seizures).  T solium is endemic in many parts of Central/South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.  It primarily occurs in rural areas where sanitation is poor and pigs roam freely.