13 - Taenia solium/Trichinella/Baylisascaris

What species can be infected by Taenia solium?

Pigs

Humans

Where is Taenia solium found geographically?

Worldwide

Endemic in Latin america, Sub-saharan africa, india, china, south east asia

What 2 diseases does Taenia solium cause?

Cysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis

What are the clinical signs of Cysticercosis?

Aymptomatic

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Nausea

Constipation

Proglottids in stool

What are the clinical signs of neurocysticercosis?

Seizures

Increased intracranial pressure

Hydrocephalus

Altered mental status

Headache

Aseptic meningitis

Locomotor disturbances

Paralysis

Death

What diagnostic tests are used to diagnose Taenia solium infection?

Neuroimaging

Serology

BLOT

ELISA

Fecal screening

How is Taenia solium transmitted?

Fecal-oral

How is Taenia solium controlled?

Pigs: Vaccination, anthelmenitic treatment, screening, biosecurity

Humans: Good hygeine, cooking pork thoroughly

What type of parasite is Trichinella?

Nematode - roundworm

What species of Trichinella infects humans most commonly?

T. spiralis

Where is Trichinella found geographically?

Worldwide

What are the clinical signs of Trichinella?

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Nausea

Fatigue

Muscle pain

Fever/chills

Swelling around eyes & face

Headache

Conjunctivitis

Itchy rash

What is the mortality rate of Trichinella?

0.2%

How is Trichinella diagnosied?

ELISA

How is Trichinella transmitted?

Consumption of raw/undercooked pork

How is Trichinella treated?

Antiparasitics - Albendazole/Mebendazole

How is Trichinella controlled?

Properly cooking, freezing or processing meat

T/F - Trichinella is reportable

True - in US

What is the etiologic agent of baylisascaris?

Baylisascaris procyonis

What is the definitive host of Baylisascaris procyonis?

Racoons

(Dogs)

What are paratenic hosts for Baylisascaris procyonis?

Rodents

Birds

Rabbits

Mammals

T/F - Baylisascaris procyonis is zoonotic

True - humans are accidental hosts

Where is Baylisascaris procyonis found geographically?

US & Canada

What clinical signs are seen in racoons with Baylisascaris procyonis?

Asymptomatic

Mild intestinal infection

What clinical signs are seen in other mammals with Baylisascaris procyonis?

Neurologic disease

Ocular disease/Blindness

Ataxia

Weakness

Seizures

Paralysis

What is the mortality of Baylisascaris procyonis with human/other mammal infections?

Can be severe or fatal - esp. children

How is Baylisascaris procyonis diagnosed?

Fecal flotation

Adults postmortem

How is Baylisascaris procyonis transmitted?

Fecal-oral

Ingestion of paratenic hosts

How is Baylisascaris procyonis treated in humans?

Albendazole

How is Baylisascaris procyonis controlled?

Avoiding raccoon latrines

Regular parasite prevention