Cysticercus (pl. cysticerci) is a scientific name given to the young tapeworms (larvae) belonging to the genus Taenia. It is a small, sac-like vesicle resembling a bladder; hence, it is also known as bladder worm. It is filled with fluid, in which the main body of the larva, called scolex (which will eventually form the head of the tapeworm), resides. It normally develops from the eggs, which are ingested by the intermediate hosts, such as pigs and cattle. The tissue infection is called cysticercosis. Inside such hosts, they settle in the muscles. When humans eat raw or undercooked pork or beef that is contaminated with cysticerci, the larvae grow into adult worms inside the intestine. Under certain circumstances, specifically for the pork tapeworm, the eggs can be accidentally eaten by humans through contaminated foodstuffs. In such case, the eggs hatch inside the body, generally moving to muscles as well as inside the brain. Such brain infection can lead to a serious medical condition called neurocysticercosis.[1] This disease is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy.[2]
- ^ Del Brutto, O. H. (2002). "Meningeal Cysticercosis". In Singh, G.; Prabhakar, S. (eds.). Taenia solium cysticercosis from basic to clinical science. Wallingford, Oxon, UK: CABI Publishing. pp. 177–188. ISBN 978-0-85199-839-8.
- ^ Gonzales, I.; Rivera, J. T.; Garcia, H. H. (2016). "Pathogenesis of Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis". Parasite Immunology. 38 (3): 136–146. doi:10.1111/pim.12307. PMID 26824681. S2CID 13683438.