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Ency. home > Disease > C > Cysticercosis

Cysticercosis   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Definition:

Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) is the main cause of hyman cysticercosis. Cysts in tissues form the lumps which define cysticercosis. If these worms are found in the intestine, they cause a different disease which is called teniasis.

Causes and Risks

Cysticercosis is caused by ingesting eggs from T. solium, which are found in contaminated food. Autoinfection, where a human already infected with adult T. solium reingests eggs following improper handwashing after a bowel movement can also occur.

This infection can cause seizures, eye infections, spine infections, and other complications but most often, the worms live a quiet life in muscle and do not cause symptoms.

Risk factors include living in the developing world and eating pork, fruits, and vegetables contaminated with T. solium. The disease can also be spread by contact with infected people or fecal matter. The disease is rare in the United States but common in much of the rest of the world.

Ency. home > Disease > C > Cysticercosis

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