Taenia solium is the Human Tapeworm
that comes from pork. The pig becomes infected from ingesting the
eggs and once inside the intestine, the eggs release the oncosphere
(first-stage larvae), making them an intermediate host, the oncosphere
then separates and invades the intestinal wall migrating to the
striated muscles, where it develops into a cyst-like structure,
a cysticercus. The cysticercus can survive for several years in
the tissue of the pig. Primates, sheep, Dogs, and cats can also
be intermediate hosts. Humans become infected by ingesting raw or
undercooked infected meat, making them the definitive host. There
are approximately 50 million cases of Taenia solium infestations
worldwide.
When a human ingests the Taenia solium eggs they can also become
infected with cysticerocosis, which can spread to all of the human
organs, typically the Central Nervous System (CNS). Symptoms of
the cysticerocosis do not usually appear until the cyst starts to
die, months to years after the original infection. Other symptoms
of a Taenia solium infestation include: epigastric discomfort, nausea,
hunger, and weight loss.
Humans also act as the primary host and can reinfect themselves
by not practicing good hygiene.
