Pork Tapeworm [Embryonated Eggs]

Description:

Its a cyclophyllid cestode in the family "Taeniidae". In the larval stage, it causes cysticercosis, which is a major cause of seizures in humans. Ingestion of "Taenia solium" eggs or proglottid rupture within the host intestine can cause larvae to migrate into host tissue and cause cysticercosis. This is the most frequent and severe disease caused by "Taenia solium". In symptomatic cases, a wide spectrum of symptoms may be expressed, including headaches, dizziness and occasional seizures. In more severe cases, dementia or hypertension can occur due to perturbation of the normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. (Any increase in intracranial pressure will result in a corresponding increase in arterial blood pressure, as the body seeks to maintain circulation to the brain.) The severity of cysticercosis depends on location, size and number of parasite larvae in tissues, as well as the host immune response. Other symptoms include sensory deficits, involuntary movements, and brain system dysfunction. In children, ocular location of cysts is more common than cystation in other locations of the body. Heavy infection with "Taenia solium" can lead to neurocysticercosis, which can lead to epilepsy, seizures, lesions in the brain, blindness, tumor-like growths, and low eosinophil levels.

Habitat:

"Taenia solium" is found worldwide, but is more common in cosmopolitan areas.

Notes:

The "little tire" featured in the photo is an embryonated egg of "Taenia solium".