Armed tapeworm is a parasitic flatworm belonging to the class Cestoda that infects the gastrointestinal tract of various vertebrate hosts, including humans. Known scientifically as Taenia solium, it is called an armed tapeworm due to its distinctive feature of having hook-like structures called armed rostellum on its scolex or head.
The armed tapeworm has a complex lifecycle that involves two hosts, an intermediate and a definitive host. The intermediate host, usually a pig, ingests the tapeworm eggs from the environment. In the pig's digestive system, the eggs hatch and release larvae that migrate to the muscles, forming cysts known as cysticerci.
When a human consumes undercooked or raw contaminated pork (or other infected food or water), the cysticerci are released in the intestines and develop into adult tapeworms. These tapeworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall using their armed rostellum and grow to lengths of several meters. The armed tapeworms have a segmented body comprising proglottids, with each segment containing both male and female reproductive organs.
Infestation with armed tapeworms, also referred to as taeniasis, can lead to various symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and digestive disturbances. In some cases, it may be asymptomatic. Additionally, severe complications can occur if the tapeworm larvae migrate to other parts of the body, such as the brain or eyes, resulting in neurocysticercosis.
Prevention and treatment of armed tapeworm infestation involve proper cooking of pork, good hygiene practices, and administering anthelmintic drugs to eliminate the adult parasites.
