Taenia asiatica
Taenia asiatica
Taenia asiatica (pronunciation: /ˈtiːniə æʃiˈætɪkə/) is a species of tapeworm that is known to infect humans. It is one of the three species of the genus Taenia that can cause taeniasis in humans. The other two species are Taenia solium and Taenia saginata.
Etymology
The name "Taenia" comes from the Greek word "ταινία", which means "ribbon", referring to the ribbon-like appearance of these parasites. The term "asiatica" is derived from the Latin word "Asiaticus", meaning "Asian", as this species was first identified in Asia.
Description
Taenia asiatica is a large tapeworm that can reach lengths of up to 8 meters. It has a scolex (head) with four suckers but without hooks and rostellum, unlike Taenia solium. The proglottids (segments) of T. asiatica are wider than they are long, which is a characteristic feature of this species.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Taenia asiatica involves two hosts. The definitive host is humans who get infected by consuming raw or undercooked pork that contains the larval stage of the parasite. The intermediate host is pigs in which the larval stage (cysticercus) develops in the liver.
Symptoms and Treatment
Infection with Taenia asiatica often causes no symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include abdominal pain, weight loss, and other digestive problems. The infection is diagnosed by identifying the eggs or proglottids of the parasite in the stool. The treatment for taeniasis is usually a single dose of the antiparasitic drug praziquantel.
Epidemiology
Taenia asiatica is endemic in many Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The infection is associated with the traditional practice of eating raw or undercooked pork.
Related Terms
- Taeniasis: The condition of being infected with tapeworms of the genus Taenia.
- Cysticercus: The larval stage of Taenia species that develops in the intermediate host.
- Praziquantel: An antiparasitic drug used to treat taeniasis and other parasitic infections.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Taenia asiatica
- Wikipedia's article - Taenia asiatica
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