pork tapeworm
Quick Summary
The pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is a type of parasitic flatworm belonging to the class Cestoda. These worms are internal parasites that can affect various vertebrates, including humans. Pork tapeworms live in the human intestine as adults.1
The life cycle involves embryos passing out with feces. If ingested by an intermediate host like a pig, the larva forms a cysticercus (bladder worm) in the muscle tissue. Humans become infected by eating raw or undercooked pork containing these bladder worms. While some tapeworm infections cause no symptoms, others can lead to abdominal pain, distention, or even severe anemia if it's a fish tapeworm consuming vitamin B12. Treatment may involve antiparasitic drugs or surgery.123
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