Cysticercosis, or infection by a pork tapeworm, can be contracted by anyone who eats poorly heated or raw pork that subsequently contains larvae of the tapeworm (fin). Infestation of the tapeworm is not noticed; only in a few cases does the infection actually cause symptoms.
What is cysticercosis?
Cysticercosis, or infection by the pork tapeworm, is also known as taeniasis. This is because tapeworms, such as the cattle tapeworm or the pork tapeworm, belong to the genus Taenia. Thus, the pork tapeworm is called Taenia solium and the cattle tapeworm Taenia saginata. The tapeworms are parasites. In order to survive, they need a host. The pork tapeworms (so-called flatworms) live in the intestine and, in addition to a few millimeters, can easily reach a size of several meters. In the process, the tapeworm goes through a certain cycle, whereby – depending on the stage of development – a change of host is carried out. The intermediate host of the tapeworm is the pig; the final host is usually the human being, although the tapeworm can also use the human being as an intermediate host. Within that stage, severe symptoms may well occur that require immediate medical treatment.
Causes
The cause lies predominantly in the fact of consumption of insufficiently heated or raw pork, which contained larvae of the tapeworm. The transmission route of the tapeworm is related to its life cycle; thus, the tapeworm normally infects the pig as well as the human, so that an alternating host can occur. The development of the tapeworm – through the consumption of raw or even not strongly enough heated pork – begins with the fact that the fins enter the human intestine. After that, the head of the worm is formed. The head attaches itself to the intestinal wall with a hooked ring. Then the worm begins to mature. Several weeks may pass before all the link chains are fully grown.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Although infestation can go unnoticed for years, there are definitely symptoms that can occur. Affected individuals often complain of loss of appetite, nausea as well as vomiting, weight loss as well as anemia (anemia). In many cases, sufferers also report severe itching of the anus. If there is a heavy infestation, or if humans are seen as intermediate hosts and classical cysticercosis occurs, seizures, headaches or even dizziness can sometimes occur. In a few cases, patients suffer from visual disturbances, hydrocephalus (water head) or meningitis (meningitis). Rarely, damage occurs to the heart muscle and skeletal muscles. Those symptoms should not be underestimated under any circumstances; the patient must receive immediate medical treatment.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
The physician takes, if cysticercosis is suspected, a stool sample. Under a microscope, it can be determined whether tapeworm eggs are present in the stool. The proglottids – members of the worm – can only be detected if they have already disintegrated in the intestine. Immunofluorescence and ELISA are two other techniques that can be used in the diagnosis. The medical or laboratory staff starts with the identification of worm particles (antigens), which can be triggered and detected as a classical reaction of the human immune system, as well as antibodies, which are also produced as a reaction. Indirect evidence can represent calcifications in the tissues, which, however, are very difficult to detect visibly on X-ray images. If physicians actually recognize “calcifications” on the X-ray, they are the fins of cysticercosis that have been deposited. As a rule, the disease takes a relatively uncomplicated course. It should be noted that such a disease occurs only rarely; above all, because in Central Europe, people mainly avoid eating raw or insufficiently heated pork. However, it becomes dangerous when the larvae develop further. In cysticercosis, larvae can infect muscle tissue, the eyes or even the brain. In those cases, the affected person must be treated quickly and effectively so that any further consequential damage can be prevented.
When should you go to the doctor?
Basically, the consumption of raw meat is associated with a risk.Pork in particular should not be eaten raw. If this nevertheless takes place regularly, the risks for health impairments increase. A doctor is needed as soon as physical changes creep in. Loss of appetite, nausea or a loss of weight are indications of the presence of a disease. A physician should be consulted in the event of vomiting, a decrease in physical performance, and internal weakness. A pale appearance, low blood pressure, and sleep disturbances indicate the presence of a health irregularity. If the complaints persist or increase in intensity, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If itching occurs at the anus, this is to be understood as an alarm signal of the organism. In particular, if the itching increases with the development of open sores, a doctor is needed. If headache occurs or there is impairment of vision, there is cause for concern. In case of irregularities of the heart rhythm as well as dizziness, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. In many cases, symptoms do not appear until late in the course of the disease. The disease often remains unnoticed for many years, since the diffuse health impairments are usually not very intense. Nevertheless, consultation with a physician is recommended if irregularities are present.
Treatment and therapy
In the context of therapy, the pork tapeworm plays the main role. The focus is on removing the worm. For example, agents such as praziquantel or even niclosamide are prescribed; those agents should lead to the worms being killed. Sometimes the worms can also be “paralyzed” so that it becomes impossible for them to “cling” to the intestine. Subsequently, the worms are excreted as part of the bowel movement. The duration as well as the success of the therapy depends on how far the disease has progressed. However, the patient must expect that the therapy can last several weeks. Due to the therapy, a relatively large number of pork tapeworm antigens are released. Antigens are nothing more than components to which the human immune system reacts. Sometimes patients complain about hypersensitivity reactions or enormous side effects, which can be particularly stressful at the beginning of the therapy. For this reason, doctors also administer cortisone so that the body’s defense reaction is dampened. However, if it is determined that humans are nothing more than an intermediate host, the worm can also encapsulate itself in the nerve tissue. If cysticercosis is present, praziquantel therapy must be administered for several days.
Prevention
It is important to avoid eating raw or even insufficiently heated pork. This is the only way that cysticercosis can be prevented.
Follow-up
Affected individuals with cysticercosis usually have only a few and also limited measures of direct aftercare available to them. For this reason, those affected by this disease should in any case first and foremost consult a doctor and also initiate treatment in order to prevent the occurrence of further complications and symptoms. There can be no independent cure, so a visit to a doctor is always necessary for this disease. Most people affected by cysticercosis are dependent on taking various medications. It is always necessary to pay attention to a correct dosage and also to a regular intake in order to counteract the symptoms properly and permanently. Regular check-ups with a doctor are also very important. Questions, uncertainties or side effects should be clarified professionally in order to avoid the development of further complaints. Some of those affected are also dependent on the help and care of their own family during treatment. This care sometimes prevents the onset of depression and further psychological upsets. As a rule, the disease can be cured well and does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person. However, the further course is strongly dependent on the time of diagnosis.
What you can do yourself
In many cases, cysticercosis progresses without symptoms. Treatment is necessary when the typical symptoms such as dizziness, headache or vomiting occur. If complications such as vision problems or nerve disorders occur, medical advice is needed.In most cases, patients can support recovery by taking sufficient rest. Bed rest is particularly important during the peak phase of the disease, when fever and other physical symptoms may occur. Patients should also take in plenty of fluids during this period and pay attention to a gentle diet. To rule out transmission of the tapeworm, contact with other people should be restricted. Drug treatment with anthelmintics and corticosteroids should be closely monitored. The physician should be informed immediately if unusual symptoms occur. The causative pork must be located if possible and submitted to the physician for laboratory testing. Cysticercosis should usually resolve within a few days. The use of home remedies such as cooling compresses or medicinal herbs can aid recovery. However, to avoid side effects, these measures should be discussed with the responsible physician beforehand. The physician will primarily recommend rest and recuperation, accompanied by taking the prescribed medication.
