Jejunal and ileal thickening caused by Taenia saginata diagnosed by double-balloon endoscopy (with video)

 Commentary

Approximately 50 million people worldwide harbor intestinal Taenia spp, but most such infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild, nonspecific abdominal symptoms. You can add Taenia to your differential diagnosis of pregnancy as a cause of morning nausea. Humans get Taenia infection after eating raw or undercooked meat contaminated with cestode larvae (pork, T solium; beef, T saginata). The most common complication of Taenia infection is appendicitis, but Taenia also can cause pancreatitis and biliary obstruction. Cysticercosis results when extraintestinal encysted larval forms of T solium lodge in various organs. Because cysticercosis virtually is reported only with T solium, it is critical to differentiate the 2 species. John Updike said, “Hemingway described New York as a bottle of tapeworms trying to feed off each other.” I think Hemingway overstated the truth; his quote applies only to the transit system during rush hour.

Lawrence J. Brandt, MD

Associate Editor for Focal Points