Cestoda

Ophthalmic Cysticercosis Ophthalmic cysticercosis is derived from cysticercosis which is an infection by eggs in the tissue caused by a parasite. This parasite is known as Taenia solium, or more commonly called pork tapeworm. It is also an emerging parasitic disease. People can become infected by this parasite if undercooked meat is consumed or eaten raw. The eggs go into the body and form cysts. It is usually found in the intestinal tract, skin, muscles, and areas of the brain in an infected host. In this case it has reached the region near the brain, particularly the ocular site. Often found in the globe, extraocular muscles, and subconjuctiva of the eyes, the parasite can cause swelling, blurry vision, or blindness. When a cyst develops from larvae to an adult tapeworm, it can range from 1 to 3 m. Its structure is distinctive with a ribbon-like, flat body and white in color. The total number of cysts can be more than a hundred. The scolex, or the head of a pork tapeworm, contains suckers that is used for attachment. Moreover, these tapeworms are hermaphrodite, which means it can act either male or female. As these parasites move, they are indeed motile, and that results in swelling. The pork tapeworm’s life cycle starts at a larval stage in pigs. As humans eat undercooked pork, the larvae attaches to the gut or in a tissue and dumps its eggs. From there it can enter the bloodstream and lodge in other tissues such as the muscles in the eye. The earliest form of tapeworm…

Did you know that tapeworms are one of the first recognized parasitic worms? Also did you know that people intentionally sell tapeworms for weight loss, although it’s illegal? Those are just some fun facts leading into many of the characteristics that these parasites give have. There are very many cause and effect reactions that tapeworms give off. A tapeworm is a long, flat worm that attaches itself to your cattle’s intestines. A tapeworm body consists of multiple parts, or segments, with…

The common name of Taenia solium is known as the pork tapeworm. 3. Matured pork worms are only found in people. “[Larvae] are found in the muscles of the intermediate hosts and in the brain in the case of neurocysticercosis.” (Government of Canada) Also, the eggs are infectious to people. Taenia solium does have ovaries but no vaginal sphincter muscle, just a genital pore. 4. First, the eggs are laid in feces that get passed into the environment. It is very easy for eggs to survive a long time…