Roundworms, tapeworms and pinworms in children were the subject of the first part of this series of articles on worms and parasites in humans. This article is intended to inform our readers about tapeworms, which are also found in our country. About trichinae informs you, this article: Trichinae.
The tapeworm
Tapeworms live as parasites in the intestines of humans or other vertebrates. There are many different species of tapeworms. Each species can cause different symptoms, although only a few species could become a danger to humans. In the picture, the head of a tapeworm. Click to enlarge. There are four types of tapeworms: cattle tapeworms, pig tapeworms, fish tapeworms and dog tapeworms. The most common is the bovine tapeworm. It is estimated that the whole of humanity is infested with about 50 million. For German conditions, an infection of 0.5 percent of the population has recently been reported. Pork tapeworm, fish tapeworm and dog tapeworm are rare in our country. The tapeworms belong to the flatworms. They have a very different size. While the dog tapeworm only grows to a few millimeters, the fish tapeworm can reach up to 12 meters in length. Tapeworms consist of a head with suction cups, with which they hold on in the intestine, and a body, which may have up to several thousand individual limbs. They are bisexual animals (hermaphrodites) in which fertilization takes place within the worm itself. The eggs thus produced rapidly pass to the outside with the limbs that keep repelling each other. As the limbs decay, the eggs are released and can be swallowed by other creatures, for example, cattle, pigs, fish, or dogs, which serve as intermediate hosts. The larvae in the eggs pierce the intestinal wall and enter the various organs with the bloodstream. Here they grow and are now called bladderworm or fin. These fins slowly enlarge, but can never become a sexually mature animal. To do so, they must first be swallowed by a final host, the human. In the human intestine, the bladders then rupture, and the head that is in each fin forms into a tapeworm that is usually fully grown in about 70 days. While cattle tapeworm, pork tapeworm and fish tapeworm can only reproduce in the human organism, dog tapeworm only occurs as a blister form or fin in the human body. It can reach considerable size at this stage and become head-sized. It is
It is then called an echinococcus.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Tapeworms often have a considerable lifespan, which can be as long as 20 years
can. In some circumstances, there may even be more than one tapeworm in a person. Transmission of these worms occurs through the consumption of raw meat contaminated with fins or poorly cooked or under-smoked fish that is also contaminated. Eating perfectly good meat and fish cannot cause tapeworm infestation. The fins enter the human intestine and develop into tapeworms. Incidentally, the eggs of the dog tapeworm are transmitted to humans through unhygienic handling of tapeworm-infested dogs. Tapeworms lead to a wide variety of symptoms. One can observe both ravenous hunger and loss of appetite, furthermore vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and constipation, headaches and a feeling of pressure in the abdomen. Affected individuals may lose a considerable amount of weight. The fish tapeworm secretes a toxin that in some cases causes severe anemia. The large fin blisters of the dog tapeworm can cause tumor-like appearances. In severe cases, intestinal obstruction can occur. An ileus is manifested by a severely hardened abdominal wall, cramps and abdominal pain. Furthermore, tapeworms can cause loss of appetite or ravenous hunger. This can lead to weight problems – weight loss usually occurs. A fish tapeworm can lead to anemia. This is manifested by physical and mental dysfunction, but also by external signs such as pallor, sweating and sunken eye sockets. In most cases, dizziness, visual disturbances and other complaints also occur, which increase in intensity as the disease progresses. An infection with the dog tapeworm is manifested by the characteristic blisters, which resemble tumors and cause severe pressure pain. Furthermore, a tapeworm infestation can lead to serious gastrointestinal or brain diseases.An infestation of the brain can lead to meningitis or brain inflammation, which relatively quickly leads to neurological deficits and eventually causes permanent damage. A tapeworm infestation can be clearly recognized by the symptoms and complaints mentioned above and in any case requires immediate treatment by a specialist.
Complications
Tapeworm infection can lead to a number of complications if left untreated. First, the parasite causes weight loss and subsequently gastrointestinal distress. Then, if no action is taken, the tapeworm continues to enlarge and well-being sometimes declines sharply. Subsequently, the tapeworm attacks the internal organs and increases the risk of gallbladder and pancreas inflammation, intestinal obstruction and appendicitis. If a hematogenous infection is present, the parasite can cause blockage of blood vessels, resulting in embolism. If the tapeworm infection progresses further, there is also a risk of larvae lodging in the organs: Epilepsy, visual disturbances, skin disorders, and skeletal muscle damage can result, depending on the extent and location of the infestation. A tapeworm in the brain can lead to life-threatening disorders such as meningoencephalitis. The risk of related complications increases with an unhealthy lifestyle that includes an unbalanced diet and poor sanitary conditions. In general, the earlier the tapeworm is diagnosed, the more likely there will be a full recovery without long-term consequences. A rapid clarification of the typical symptoms is therefore advisable in any case.
Treatment and therapy
The presence of a tapeworm is relatively easy to detect because the limbs are continuously excreted in the stool. They are flat, whitish structures resembling pieces of noodles. Today, various effective and fairly non-toxic drugs against tapeworms are known. For example, preparations containing tin or bromocresol, as well as chloronitro compounds, are particularly suitable for aborting such worms. Although it is quite possible to perform outpatient cures, it is generally recommended to take a hospital stay of several days. The success of the treatment can only be guaranteed when the head of the tapeworm has been removed. With the newer medications, however, the head usually accumulates, so that detection is often not successful. It is then only possible to say after a few months whether the treatment was successful or not. The fins of the dog tapeworm, the echinococci, must be surgically removed.
Outlook and prognosis
In the case of tapeworm, the outlook and prognosis depend on the type of tapeworm and the patient’s constitution, among other factors. Bovine tapeworm can usually be treated by the primary care physician, who predicts a complete recovery within two to three weeks if the patient is doing well. Pork tapeworm may need to be surgically removed, but also has a positive outcome if treated early. Under certain circumstances, however, a relapse may occur and the therapy must be repeated. In the case of fish tapeworm, the prognosis is favorable. After treatment, the vast majority of patients recover without further complications. The outlook is less positive in the case of echinococcus, which must always be surgically removed. If treatment is too late or not carried out at all, such a tapeworm infestation can be fatal. In principle, the outlook and prognosis for a tapeworm are therefore positive – provided that treatment is carried out early and no major complications occur. In children, the elderly and sick patients, an operation can cause further health problems. In the worst case, tapeworm is fatal for the patient.
Protection and prevention
The best protection against tapeworms is to avoid raw meat and undercooked fish. You can protect yourself against the fins of dog tapeworm by maintaining scrupulous cleanliness when handling animals and washing your hands regularly if you have touched dogs.
Aftercare
In most cases, a parasite cure takes a favorable course. Aftercare can then only consist of prevention. Patients bear a high degree of personal responsibility. Raw meat and uncooked fish should be avoided at all costs. Hands should be washed after contact with animals. Doctors usually teach these practical tips as part of the initial treatment.People in Germany very rarely contract the tapeworm. Countries with inadequate hygienic standards are considered the main areas of infection. Anyone who repeatedly travels to such regions can become infected again and again on a subsequent visit. The body does not build up immunity. An illness can be detected by a stool sample. Imaging techniques such as a CT scan and MRI can also provide clarity. While patients can avoid an occurrence only by avoiding certain high-risk foods and contact with animals, the timing of treatment is crucial for a weak course. The earlier drug or surgical therapy begins, the more favorable the prognosis. If treatment is not given, the tapeworm can even lead to death. The risk of re-infection is the same for all people. In older people, a disease is more likely to take an unfavorable course.
What you can do yourself
The suspicion of a tapeworm should always first lead to a doctor. Whether it is a tapeworm, can be determined primarily by the stool, which has long, whitish formations that resemble noodles. This is usually accompanied by unusual weight loss and a general feeling of illness. Should one or more of these symptoms occur, a doctor must be consulted without fail. In addition to medical treatment, dietary measures are particularly recommended. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar or kombucha stabilize the intestinal flora. So do papaya seeds, onions and garlic, and essential oils of oregano or eucalyptus. Wormwood can be taken in the form of capsules or tea and destroys tapeworms quickly and effectively. In addition, preparations containing tin, bromocresol or chloronitro compounds help to abort tapeworms. In addition to these home remedies, in general, a balanced diet and regular hydration are important. Raw meat and insufficiently cooked fish should be avoided entirely during a parasite infestation. After successful elimination of the tapeworm, increased hygiene should be observed, especially in dealing with animals, to avoid a new parasite infestation.
