Alternative Names & Classifications:
Taeniasis (CLINICAL), Tapeworm Infection (CLINICAL)
Description
Humans become infected with Taeniasis by consuming raw or undercooked beef or pork that contains infective tapeworm larval cysts (cysticerci). Once ingested, the cysts excyst in the stomach and the scolex attaches to the wall of the human small intestine, where it develops into an adult tapeworm. These parasites simply absorb digested nutrients across their integument and can grow to several meters in length, residing in the host for years.