Tapeworms by Sierra Thomsen https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550 By: Sierra Thomsen and Mason Kenmore en-us 2020-12-03 00:56:20 UTC 2025-10-16 01:22:02 UTC hello@padlet.com Classification sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982208366 They are commonly called tapeworms, but their scientific name is Cestoda. Tapeworms belong to the platyhelminthes phylum, and the taeniidae family.

]]> 2020-12-03 00:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982208366 Lifecycle sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982211556 Most tapeworms are hermaphroditic, meaning they are capable of reproducing by self-fertilization. The life cycle of the tapeworm is different depending on what type of animal the host is and how it was consumed. The pork tapeworm(found in raw pork) and the beef tapeworm(found in raw beef) live in the human intestine during adulthood. Once the tapeworm reproduces, the embryos pass through the human body and turn into fecal matter. Sometimes the fecal matter is consumed by an animal, then the parasite lives in the digestive tract.

]]> 2020-12-03 00:59:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982211556 Hosts sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982214095 Tapeworms have many hosts including: Beetles, fish, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, humans, cats, dogs, etc.

]]> 2020-12-03 01:00:35 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982214095 Vectors sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982214654 Any animal who has tapeworms can act as a vector. For example, when cattle have tapeworms, they can act as a vector if a human eats raw beef. Another example is if a human has tapeworms, and has the tapeworm’s eggs in their feces, they can act as a vector if an animal comes in contact with that feces. Fleas infected with tapeworm larvae also act as a vector. 

]]> 2020-12-03 01:00:55 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982214654 Transmission sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982216406 Tapeworms are transmitted by consuming another vector/vector’s waste. Tapeworms enter the body through raw meat. Tapeworms can also be transmitted by infected host’s feces. Transmission can also occur by an animal swallowing a flea infected by tapeworm larvae.

]]> 2020-12-03 01:01:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982216406 Humans sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982222458 Yes, tapeworms do infect humans. They live in the human intestines. 

]]> 2020-12-03 01:05:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982222458 Size sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982225892 Tapeworms can grow from 4 to 28 inches. ]]> 2020-12-03 01:06:57 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982225892 How Tapeworms Move sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982227608 Tapeworms live in hosts, and move by being extracted in some way. Whether it's moving to another host through raw meat, or through feces, it continues to infect new hosts. Usually at the beginning of their life cycle, they move to another host either by infected fleas, feces, or raw meat. Then, they live in the intestines of their host for as long as they can.

]]> 2020-12-03 01:07:54 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982227608 Metabolism sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982228887 Most tapeworms have a predominantly anaerobic metabolism. They are made up of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates must be abundantly present in the infected host’s diet for the tapeworm to grow. 

]]> 2020-12-03 01:08:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982228887 Regions sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982229624 Tapeworms are most commonly found in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This parasite is rare in the United States besides in areas where raw meat is consumed often and where sanitation is bad.]]> 2020-12-03 01:09:03 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/982229624 Symptoms sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986040821
  • Hard to detect people can show little to no symptoms
  • Most common symptoms are all digestive issues which are abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and upset stomach
  • Only visible symptom is the remains of tapeworms found in fecal matter. 

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:29:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986040821     Complications sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986044320
  • One complication that can arise from this parasite infection is cysticercosis which is caused when tapeworm eggs and the larval cysts infect the tissue of the brain and or muscles which can lead to seizures, muscle, and eye damage.
  • If Tapeworms grow large enough they can block the pathway to the appendix which can cause appendicitis.
  • Other effects of the cysts include meningitis, hydrocephalus, and dementia

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:31:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986044320     Diagnostic sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986046516
  • Stool samples analysis which is when a lab checks feces for tapeworm segments
  • Blood test can see if antibodies are produced to fight off cysts that have attached to tissue
  • Imaging Test like X-ray, CT or MRI Scans

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:31:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986046516     Death sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986047630
  • It is very rare but a host can die from this parasite
  • 0.06% per million population 
  • In most cases people will die from a brain infection known as cysticercosis which these larva can eat out the brain and can lead to hydrocephalus by blocking pathways in the brain which kills the brain 

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:32:41 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986047630     Treatments sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986048897
  • 3 most common oral medications are Praziquantel, Albendazole, and Nitazoxanide 
  • Shunt for brain infections
  • Anti-epiletic medicine if patient is experiencing seizures
  • Surgery

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:33:24 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986048897     Infected Annually sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986049811  It is estimated that there are around 1,000 cases in the U.S. annually but the exact number is unknown]]> 2020-12-03 23:33:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986049811 Preventative Measures sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986050936
  • Washing your hands before eating or after using the restroom
  • Making sure to cook meat properly before eating 
  • Peeling all raw vegetables and fruits before eating them 
  • Properly disposing of food and human waste
  • Avoid eating raw foods 

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:34:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986050936     Efforts to Stop Further Infections sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986051990
  • WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:35:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986051990     Historical Significance sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986053364
  • Research has indicated that tapeworms can be traced back to the ancient times of the greek civilization but the first major breakthrough came around early in the 17th century in Europe. The worms were at first thought to have originated from Africa where they were first found in cattle like pigs and cows. Due to the crude cooking back then the worms were left alive in the meat which was consumed by humans. It was thought that back in the 17th century around a million people had been infected with the taenia worm. When trade between other countries was established the exportation of livestock allowed this parasite to spread quickly. In modern times now there are multiple medicines to help fight off this disease as well as food that is imported goes through heavy review before making its way into countries as well as the advancements of cooking has made this parasite almost obsolete in developed countries. In less developed countries this parasite is still prevalent but is better under control compared to the past but it is still a problem that multiple organizations across the world are working on to hopefully better prevent and stop this parasite.

    • ]]>     2020-12-03 23:36:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986053364     sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986071732 2020-12-03 23:47:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986071732 Work Cited sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986105359 2020-12-04 00:06:18 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986105359 sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986107037 2020-12-04 00:07:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986107037 sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986108561 2020-12-04 00:07:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986108561 sierra_thomsen1_2 https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986109954 2020-12-04 00:08:36 UTC https://padlet.com/sierra_thomsen1_2/5rz0kkni93fzc550/wish/986109954