What is Pork Tapeworm?
Taenia solium, is a parasite that can infect people in two different ways.
Eating raw or undercooked pork containing, the larvae can cause an adult tapeworm infection of the intestine. Many people with this tapeworm have no symptoms or only mild digestive symptoms.
Swallowing T. solium eggs can cause cysticercosis, in which the parasite's larvae form cysts in tissues such as the muscles, eyes or brain. When cysts develop in the brain, this is called neurocysticercosis. Neurocysticercosis can cause seizures, headaches and other neurological complications. Importantly, cysticercosis is acquired by swallowing the eggs, rather than by eating pork.
Pork tapeworm occurs worldwide but is more common in parts of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, particularly where pigs are farmed and sanitation is more limited.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that neurocysticercosis contributes to up to 30% of epilepsy cases in areas where T. solium is endemic. WHO estimates that between 2.56 and 8.30 million people worldwide have symptomatic or asymptomatic neurocysticercosis, although these figures may underestimate the true burden.
FAQs
Can I get pork tapeworm from eating pork?
+
Eating raw or undercooked pork containing T. solium larvae can lead to the development of a tapeworm in the intestines.
However, cysticercosis is acquired when T. solium eggs are swallowed, usually through food, water or hands contaminated with human waste. Cysticercosis involves cysts which form in the muscles, brain or eye.
Where are Australian travellers most likely to encounter pork tapeworm?
+
Pork tapeworm is more common in parts of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, particularly where sanitation infrastructure is limited. Your risk depends on your destination, accommodation, food and water exposures and activities.
I ate pork overseas. Do I need to be tested?
+
Not necessarily. Eating properly cooked pork does not usually cause infection. If you develop persistent gastrointestinal symptoms or notice tapeworm segments in your stool after travel, see your GP and mention your travel history and food exposures.
Can the Taenia solium parasite cause seizures?
+
Yes. Swallowing T. solium eggs can lead to the development of cysts in the brain. This is called neurocysticercosis. This is an important cause of seizures in areas where the parasite is endemic. A new seizure or other significant neurological symptoms after travel requires prompt medical assessment.
Is there a vaccine for pork tapeworm?
+
There is currently no vaccine available for people to prevent pork tapeworm infection. Prevention relies on good food and hand hygiene, safe water and avoiding raw or undercooked pork when travelling in areas where the parasite is present.
Can I get cysticercosis from another person?
+
Yes. Cysticercosis can occur when a person swallows T. solium eggs passed in the faeces of someone with an intestinal tapeworm infection. Good hand hygiene and safe food and water practices help reduce this risk.
What to Know
Symptoms of pork tapeworm
Most people who have intestinal infection with pork tapeworm have no symptoms or only mild digestive symptoms, such as abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, loss of appetite or weight loss. Passing tapeworm segments in the stool can be a noticeable sign. Rarely, tapeworm segments can cause complications by migrating into the appendix or bile or pancreatic ducts.
Cysticercosis occurs when T. solium eggs are swallowed and larvae form cysts in tissues. Many infections cause no symptoms, but cysts can develop in the muscles, eyes or nervous system. Symptoms may appear months or years after infection and depend on which part of the body the cysts are located.
When cysts develop in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis. It can cause seizures, persistent headaches, visual problems, confusion, balance problems and other neurological symptoms. New seizures, significant neurological symptoms or unexplained visual changes after travel require prompt medical assessment.
Diagnosis and treatment of pork tapeworm
Intestinal pork tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed by sending stool samples to the lab. These are examined under the microscope for tapeworm eggs or segments. Because eggs may not be present in every sample, two to three stool samples collected on different days are tested. The infection can also be diagnosed using PCR on stool samples.
Intestinal pork tapeworm is treated with prescription antiparasitic medicines. Treatment also helps prevent the infected person from passing the eggs to others.
Cysticercosis may require blood tests and imaging such as CT or MRI. Treatment depends on the number, location and stage of the cysts and may include antiparasitic medicines, corticosteroids, medicines to control seizures, or surgery. People with suspected cysticercosis should be assessed by a doctor before antiparasitic treatment is started.
Prevention of pork tapeworm
Preventing pork tapeworm infection involves avoiding both undercooked pork and food or water contaminated with human waste. Eat pork that is thoroughly cooked and take extra care with meat prepared in settings where food safety may be uncertain.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and safe water after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food. Drink safe or treated water and wash fruit and vegetables with safe water, particularly when travelling in areas with limited sanitation.
Cysticercosis can be acquired from a person with intestinal pork tapeworm infection through faecal contamination, so prompt diagnosis and treatment of the condition helps prevent transmission. There is currently no human vaccine against pork tapeworm, so prevention relies on food and water hygiene.