Cysticercus cellulosae: adult tapeworm is Taenia solium. Armed tapeworm of man, pork bladderworm.

General Description: The definitive host of this parasite is man. Pigs serve as the intermediary host. In the pig the parasites appear as small, fluid filled cysts containing an armed scolex in the muscles and other organs of pigs. Man can also act as an intermediary host for this parasite.

Life Cycle: Eggs which are liberated from the gravid proglottides of the tapeworm are ingested by the pigs and an embryo is liberated in the intestine. The immature forms penetrate the gut wall and are carried in the blood first to the liver and later to different other organs. The organs of preference are muscles, but the bladder-worms can also be found in the central nervous system. Man is infected by eating inadequately cooked infected pork containing viable cysticerci. Adults develop in man in 5 to 12 weeks.

Location: Adults in small intestine of man. Cysticerci in striated muscles of pigs, brain, eye, lung, liver and kidney.

Geographical Distribution: Rare in countries with adequate meat inspection. Common in certain regions in Latin America, southern Africa, southeast Asia and India.

Significance: Inspection of pig carcasses for Cysticercus celulosae is time consuming and expensive. Carcasses containing cysticercus are condemned. Humans infected with Taenia solium tapeworms may be unaffected or have loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Those people infected with the cysticercus may show signs which vary with the localisation of the parasites.

Effect on the Host: Full grown cysticerci are 10X20 mm and their effect on the host depends on their location. Paralysis of the tongue, stiffness and convulsions have been described in pigs infected with this parasite.

Diagnostic Information: Detection in vivo may be done by examination of the tongue and the eyes. Detection during necropsy or meat inspection is confirmed by a microscopical examination. Infected humans may show proglottides or eggs in faeces.

Control: Pigs should be maintained completely isolated of any contact with human faeces. Meat inspection and incineration of infected carcasses is of vital importance in the control of the infection with C. cellulosae.

Cysticercosis –Heart		Cysticercosis – Brain
Cysticercosis – Muscle		Cysticercosis – Eye