Among the variety of helminths, two species deserve special attention - this is bull tapeworm and pork tapeworm. These parasites belong to the class of tapeworms (flatworms), which are able to easily infect the human body. Bull tapeworm and pork tapeworm go through almost the same life cycle, but at the same time they have many differences from each other.
Which worm is more dangerous
Infection of a person with a pork tapeworm can lead to more serious consequences than teniarinhoz - a type of helminthiasis, the causative agent of which is bovine tapeworm. The fact is that most species of tapeworms, including bovine tapeworm and broad tapeworm, parasitize exclusively in the intestinal tract of their host. Pork tapeworm can enter any internal organs, even the brain. In severe cases, infection leads to disability and death. Moreover, it is not always the person who is the final owner of this parasite.
How does infection happen?
The carriers of tapeworms are livestock. Pigs, dogs, hares, rabbits, camels are intermediate hosts for pork tapeworm. Bull tapeworm is present in the muscles of cows and bulls. The risk of contracting helminths increases if you eat fat, poorly cooked or undercooked meat with worm larvae. Having penetrated the human body, they develop and turn into an adult hermaphroditic individual. Both pork tapeworm and bovine tapeworm reproduce sexually in the intestines.
Helminth Life Cycle
Adult worms form eggs that enter the environment along with the bowel movements of the host. Feces infected with bovine tapeworm eggs remain on soil, grass, and hay. Helminth eggs are not afraid of low temperatures, therefore they are quite capable of wintering in the ground. However, they will not be able to live long under the influence of ultraviolet rays and heat.
In addition, bovine tapeworm eggs are not able to survive in the human body, therefore, at this stage of development, the parasite is safe for humans. If cattle (for example, cows, bulls, buffalos, deer) become the intermediate owner of the bull’s tapeworm, then, being inside it, they will quickly reach the next phase of the life cycle. Worm larvae easily take root in the cow's body. They leak through the walls of the intestines of the animal and invade the bloodstream, spreading through the body and settling in the tissues. Pork tapeworm easily adapts to humans even at the stage of eggs, which eventually turn into larvae and, penetrating into the bloodstream, spread throughout the body. Subsequently, they can settle in the lungs or brain and cause death.
The next stage of the life cycle is the cysticercus. In this form, helminths penetrate the human body when eating infected, raw or undercooked meat. Unlike the larva, the cysticercus has a head with suction cups, with which it is firmly fixed on the intestinal mucosa. From this moment, the person becomes the carrier and the ultimate owner of the bull tapeworm.
From a cysticercus to a mature individual, the tapeworms turn in 2.5-3 months. After that, adult segments of helminths separate and leave the human body along with feces and the life cycle of the parasites is repeated again.
The structure and appearance of the chains
The hosts are not the only difference. In pork and bovine tapeworms, there is a difference in the anatomical structure. The first parasite has a smaller head, on which, in addition to suction cups, hooks are placed. Bull tapeworm has only suction cups, therefore it is often called unarmed tapeworm, and pig tap - armed.
Helminths also vary in size. The length of an adult pork tapeworm rarely exceeds three meters, while the helminth, which is transported by cows, can reach 10 meters. In addition, both worms have a jointed body. On the posterior segments of the parasites are eggs, which, as they ripen, break away and go outside. Bull tapeworm is a flatworm in which the segments disconnect alternately. Pork tapeworm segments leave the adult individual at once in several pieces. In these two varieties of helminths, the reproductive systems also differ. The ovary of the pork tapeworm contains three lobes, while the bovine ovary contains two.
Bull and pork chains are common in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Australia. In our country, these parasites are rarely detected. In general, cases of infection with chokes took place on the territory of the North Caucasus District, the Republic of Komi, Altai Territory and in other regions.
What parasite can be confused with tapeworms
Flat helminths have much in common not only with each other, but also with another type of tapeworm - a wide ribbon. The life cycle of this parasite consists of the same stages. Unlike tapeworms that live in livestock, lentets live in freshwater. Their permanent and intermediate owners are crustaceans, fish, mammals that feed on infected fish, and humans.
The life cycle of a broad ribbon begins in a freshwater body of water. A favorable condition for the development of parasite eggs is a water temperature of at least + 15 ° C. If the water is colder, the embryo will retain its viability, but until warming occurs, it will not develop. In this state, it can be several months.
In the warm season, egg larvae appear on days 6-16. The first hosts of the parasites are copepods that swallow larvae. In turn, fish that eat crustaceans become infected with a wide ribbon. After several weeks, the larvae that penetrate all tissues and organs reach a length of 4 cm. The final host of helminths is one who has eaten infected raw or poorly prepared fish. In humans, a wide ribbon lives in the small intestine. According to some reports, the length of an adult worm can reach 15 m.
Symptoms of teniosis and teniarinhosis
Bullish tapeworm, once in the human body, can in no way declare itself until the moment until it begins to multiply. Teniosis is also asymptomatic - a type of helminthiosis, the causative agent of which is pork tapeworm. When worms from a larva turn into adults, patients experience the first manifestations of the disease. Tapeworms in humans provoke the following clinical picture:
- headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances and other disorders of the nervous system;
- dyspeptic disorders (vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction);
- sharp or muffled pain in the abdomen without a clear localization;
- impaired appetite or, conversely, a constant feeling of hunger;
- increase in body temperature;
- skin rash.
Infection with any helminths, including chains, is indicated by the exit of parasite segments through the rectum together with feces. Symptoms of tapeworms in humans also include itching in the anus, disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, constipation, frequent vomiting, constipation. Intoxication of the body with the waste products of parasites leads to general weakness, loss of strength, dizziness, nausea and excessive salivation.
Diagnostic Methods
In the initial stages, it is almost impossible to recognize any type of helminthiasis due to the absence of symptoms. But even when the disease makes itself felt, far from always its pronounced signs are mistaken for manifestations of helminthic invasion. In addition, the symptoms of teniosis and teniarinhosis are typical, they have much in common with the clinical picture of many other diseases, ranging from a common cold and intestinal infection and ending with periods of exacerbations in chronic diseases of the digestive system.
To exclude infection with bovine or pork tapeworm, a comprehensive diagnosis will be required. To establish an accurate diagnosis, the doctor should conduct a survey of the patient, to clarify whether he used raw or not cooked meat. Mandatory research methods for suspected worms are:
- laboratory analysis of feces;
- scraping from the surface of the anus to detect segments of the parasite;
- general blood test (indicators of anemia, leukopenia and eosinophilia are additional evidence of the presence of helminths in the body);
- detection of adults using the method of contrast radiography.
If you do not start treatment for helminthic invasion on time, complications such as bowel obstruction, peritonitis, pancreatitis, inflammation of the appendicitis and acute cholecystitis are possible. Most often, patients are given a favorable prognosis for recovery.
Can I get rid of pork and bovine tapeworm with pills?
Today, almost all types of helminthic infestations are treatable, even if we are talking about real giants - multi-meter tapeworms. It is important to understand that therapy will bring the expected effect only with an integrated approach in the selection and use of traditional modern medicine.
The main focus in the treatment of helminthiasis is on the use of powerful antiparasitic and antiallergic drugs. In parallel with the drugs of these groups, patients are prescribed additional funds to eliminate the symptoms and consequences of worm damage - an acute reaction of the body to toxic waste products of pork or bovine tapeworms.
"Biltricid"
This is one of the most common drugs that are prescribed to patients with diagnosed teniosis and teniarinhoz. Treatment with the drug "Biltricid" is not carried out at an early age (children under four years of age), during pregnancy and lactation. Despite the fact that bovine and pork chains are one of the indications for the use of these anthelmintic tablets, they are not prescribed if parasites are localized in the brain or organs of vision.
The active substance of the drug is pyrazinisoquinoline. Biltricid tablets are taken after meals with a large volume of water. An interval of 4-6 hours must be observed between each medication.
Niclozamide
This antihelminthic drug is available in tablet and powder form. The course of treatment for teniosis or teniarinhosis is usually four days. Together with Niklozamide, laxatives are used - this is necessary for the quickest cleansing of the body of toxins. Also, medication requires a diet based on the use of liquid and easily digestible food, fresh vegetables, fruits and juices.
Vermox
This is an anthelmintic agent with a wide spectrum of action with mebendazole, which can cope with both roundworms and tapeworms. The drug is available in the form of tablets and liquid suspension for children over 2 years old. Contraindications to Vermox treatment are pregnancy, breast-feeding, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
This drug is not absorbed in the intestine, therefore, unchanged leaves the body naturally. To recover from pork or bovine tapeworm, the medicine is taken twice. After the first course, you must definitely take a break (2-4 weeks). Vermox is often prescribed as a preventative measure to prevent helminthiasis in other family members.
Albendazole
The strongest antiparasitic drug, which is available under various trade names. The active substance of the same name albendazole helps stop the metabolic processes in the body of the worm, which ultimately leads to its paralysis and death. The use of this drug is possible without following a diet and taking laxatives. The main disadvantage of Albendazole is the high probability of side effects in the form of nausea, vomiting, and stool disorders.
What to do in order not to become infected with tapeworm
Unpleasant encounters with bull or pork chops can be avoided. To protect the body from parasites, the principles of basic hygiene must be observed. Remember some simple rules and never neglect them in everyday life:
- wash your hands always with soap;
- use only purified water;
- thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits before eating and preferably rinse with boiling water;
- Do not swim in dirty ponds;
- abandon dishes of minimal frying, half-baked meat products;
- after games on the street, disinfect children's toys;
- periodically vaccinate pets, livestock.
The most effective and at the same time simple way to combat any parasites is the prevention and maintenance of immunity. But if the first symptoms of tapeworms have arisen, a person needs to see a doctor as soon as possible, undergo an examination and begin treatment. There is no universal remedy for tapeworms, in addition, each case is individual, therefore, specialists should be involved in the selection of medicines. It is impossible to independently treat with anthelmintic drugs or take them for the purpose of prevention. These are dangerous and toxic medicines that can cause a lot of harm to health if the dosage or regimen is incorrect.