clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2022

Asymptomatic in the majority.

Usually, if symptomatic, then there may be mild epigastric and abdominal pain, and occasional vomiting and diarrhoea. Weight loss is not a usual feature.

Rarely, more severe clinical manifestations may occur. These occur as a result of obstruction of the appendix (appendicitis) or pancreatic ducts (pancreatitis) by the adult worms.

The commonest symptom of infection with pork tapeworm is the presence of proglottids (segments of the adult tape worm body) in bedding, underclothes, or faeces.

Note that when humans serve as the intermediate host (cysticercosis), the clinical picture is radically different.