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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cestodes?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cestodes?
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Taenia saginata is transmitted through eating undercooked pig meat.
Taenia saginata is transmitted through eating undercooked pig meat.
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What is the definitive host for Taenia saginata?
What is the definitive host for Taenia saginata?
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The head of a cestode is known as the ______.
The head of a cestode is known as the ______.
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Match the following medically important cestodes with their common names:
Match the following medically important cestodes with their common names:
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What is the main line of treatment for Hydatid Cyst?
What is the main line of treatment for Hydatid Cyst?
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Small cysts of Hydatid Cyst are usually asymptomatic and discovered on a routine X-ray.
Small cysts of Hydatid Cyst are usually asymptomatic and discovered on a routine X-ray.
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What is the larva that causes Hydatid Cyst?
What is the larva that causes Hydatid Cyst?
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The habitat of Diphyllobothrium latum is the ______.
The habitat of Diphyllobothrium latum is the ______.
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Match the following treatments with their respective description:
Match the following treatments with their respective description:
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What is the most common clinical feature associated with Diphyllobothrium latum?
What is the most common clinical feature associated with Diphyllobothrium latum?
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Hymenolepis nana is typically found in the large intestine of humans.
Hymenolepis nana is typically found in the large intestine of humans.
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What is the length of an adult Hymenolepis nana?
What is the length of an adult Hymenolepis nana?
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The treatment for a patient infected with Diphyllobothrium latum includes __________ and Vitamin B12 supplement.
The treatment for a patient infected with Diphyllobothrium latum includes __________ and Vitamin B12 supplement.
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Match the following terms related to Hymenolepis nana:
Match the following terms related to Hymenolepis nana:
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What is the primary treatment for Taenia solium infections?
What is the primary treatment for Taenia solium infections?
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Taenia saginata is more common and less serious than Taenia solium.
Taenia saginata is more common and less serious than Taenia solium.
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What kind of meat commonly transmits Taenia solium?
What kind of meat commonly transmits Taenia solium?
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Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of __________ inside human tissues.
Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of __________ inside human tissues.
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Match the following species to their respective larval stage:
Match the following species to their respective larval stage:
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Which symptom is associated with Taenia solium disease?
Which symptom is associated with Taenia solium disease?
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Neuro-cysticercosis is caused by the larva of Taenia saginata.
Neuro-cysticercosis is caused by the larva of Taenia saginata.
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What laboratory technique is used to identify eggs of Taenia solium?
What laboratory technique is used to identify eggs of Taenia solium?
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Study Notes
General Characteristics of Cestodes
- Cestodes, also known as tape worms, have a body resembling a flat ribbon composed of multiple segments called proglottids.
- Each proglottid possesses male and female reproductive organs, making cestodes hermaphrodites.
- The head, or scolex, features suckers, grooves, or hooks for attachment to the host.
- Cestodes lack a mouth and digestive system; nutrients are absorbed through their body surface.
Medically Important Cestodes
- Taenia saginata: Cow tapeworm, can grow 5-20 meters long. Transmission occurs through undercooked beef containing cysticerci.
- Taenia solium: Pig tapeworm, 2-5 meters long. Infection is via undercooked pork containing cysticerci, leading to more severe complications, including neurocysticercosis.
- Echinococcus granulosus: Dog tapeworm causing hydatid cyst disease, with dogs as definitive hosts and humans as accidental intermediate hosts.
- Diphyllobothrium latum: Fish tapeworm, 10-13 meters long, contracted by eating undercooked fish.
- Hymenolepis nana: Dwarf tapeworm, the smallest and most common in humans, especially in children.
Taenia saginata
- Transmission: Ingestion of undercooked beef containing cysticerci.
- Clinical Features: Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and possible visualization of worm segments in feces. No eosinophilia or uncommon intestinal obstruction.
- Diagnosis: Based on clinical features and microscopic examination of feces for eggs with striated radiations and proglottids with more than 13 uterine branches.
- Treatment: Praziquantel and Yomesan (Niclosamide).
Taenia solium
- Transmission: Ingestion of undercooked pork containing cysticerci (Cysticercus cellulosae).
- Clinical Features: Similar to T. saginata, but can cause severe complications like neurocysticercosis, resulting in epilepsy, subcutaneous nodules, bone cysts, and retinitis.
- Diagnosis: Microscopy for eggs similar to T. saginata, identification of scolex with two rows of hooks and four suckers, proglottids with fewer than 13 uterine branches, along with imaging techniques such as serology, X-ray, CT, and MRI for cysticercosis.
- Treatment: Praziquantel, Yomesan (Niclosamide), surgical options for cysticercus, and Albendazole.
Echinococcus granulosus
- Hydatid cyst: Produced in humans as larval stage of E. granulosus, typically located in the liver, lungs, brain, or bone.
- Transmission: From dogs shedding eggs in feces, leading to human ingestion via contaminated food or water.
- Pathogenesis: Hydatid cysts can exert mechanical pressure causing ischaemic changes and potential rupture may lead to allergic or anaphylactic symptoms.
- Clinical Features: Often asymptomatic when small; larger cysts may cause pain, hepatomegaly, or allergic symptoms due to rupture.
- Diagnosis: X-ray, CT, MRI, serological tests, and microscopy of cyst fluid for scolex.
- Treatment: Surgical intervention, cyst sterilization agents like ethanol or hypertonic solutions, and anthelmintics such as Albendazole and Praziquantel.
Diphyllobothrium latum
- Characteristics: A large fish tapeworm common in Europe, measuring 10-13 meters. Features an elongate scolex with two grooves.
- Transmission: Acquired through undercooked fish containing infective larvae.
- Clinical Features: Commonly leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia due to competition for the vitamin.
- Diagnosis: Microscopic examination for eggs.
- Treatment: Praziquantel, Yomesan, and vitamin B12 supplements.
Hymenolepis nana
- General Info: Smallest tapeworm infecting humans (about 3 cm), prevalent in children. Habitat is mainly in the small intestine.
- Transmission: From contaminated food or water, with rats and rat fleas acting as intermediate hosts.
- Clinical Features: Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, pruritus, and irritability.
- Diagnosis: Microscopy of feces for eggs.
- Treatment: Praziquantel and Niclosamide.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of cestodes, commonly known as tape worms. This quiz covers their general characteristics, including body structure, reproductive traits, and specific types such as Taenia saginata and Taenia solium. Test your knowledge on these unique parasites and their medical significance.
