Taenia infection differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Furqan M M. M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Taeniasis must be differentiated from tapeworm infections like diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, and schistosomiasis.

Taeniasis must be differentiated from tapeworm infections like diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, and schistosomiasis.^[1]

Infections	Common causative threadworms	Suggestive findings	Diagnostic approach	Treatment
Taeniasis	Taenia solium and Taenia saginata	Nausea Vomiting Epigastric pain	Stool examination for the eggs and proglottids Brain CT scan or Biopsy (for cysticercosis)	Praziquantel
Diphyllobothriasis	Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium latum	Epigastric pain Diarrhea Fatigue Nausea Vomiting Numbness Tingling	Stool examination for the eggs and adults PCR	Praziquantel
Hymenolepiasis	Hymenolepis nana	Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Dizziness	Stool examination for the eggs and proglottids	Praziquantel
Schistosomiasis	(Schistosoma japonicum,Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium)	Abdominal pain Cough Diarrhea Fever Fatigue	Stool examination for the eggs USG liver	Praziquantel

↑ Baron, Samuel (1996). Medical microbiology. Galveston, Tex: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.