Which among the following is the causative organism of tapeworm infection affecting children who consume pork?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2019

Microbiology

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2019

Explanation

Taenia solium is commonly known as the pork tapeworm.
Humans acquire the intestinal tapeworm (taeniasis) by consuming undercooked or raw pork containing the larval cysts.
The question specifically links the infection to the consumption of pork, which directly points to T. solium.
Unlike other tapeworms, T. solium is unique in that ingestion of its eggs can lead to a more severe condition called cysticercosis, where larvae invade body tissues, including the brain (neurocysticercosis).

Option B: Taenia saginata is the beef tapeworm. Infection occurs from consuming undercooked beef, not pork.
Option C: Echinococcus granulosus is the dog tapeworm. It causes hydatid disease (cystic echinococcosis) in humans. The primary definitive hosts are dogs, and intermediate hosts are typically sheep. Humans are accidental hosts and get infected by ingesting eggs from contaminated dog feces, not by eating pork.
Option D: Echinococcus multilocularis is the fox tapeworm. It causes alveolar echinococcosis, a severe and invasive disease. The definitive hosts are foxes and other canids, and intermediate hosts are small rodents. Human infection is rare and occurs from ingesting eggs from the feces of infected canids.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Identification of the causative organism for tapeworm infection associated with pork consumption helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Neurocysticercosis, caused by T. solium larvae migrating to the brain, is a leading preventable cause of epilepsy worldwide, especially in developing countries. Nurses play a vital role in identifying at-risk patients and educating communities.
A key nursing responsibility is patient and community education on food safety (thoroughly cooking pork) and personal hygiene (handwashing) to break the cycle of transmission.
What if? If a child presents with new-onset seizures and has a history of travel to or residence in an endemic area for T. solium, the nurse should consider neurocysticercosis as a potential differential diagnosis and ensure this history is communicated to the medical team for appropriate neuroimaging.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'tapeworm infection', 'children', and 'consume pork'.
The most critical clue is 'consume pork'. This directly links the infection to a specific intermediate host.
Review the options provided. Each option is a different type of cestode (tapeworm).
Recall or deduce the common names and intermediate hosts for each parasite. 'Solium' is associated with pork, and 'saginata' is associated with beef (saggy beef).
Eliminate options based on their known hosts. T. saginata is from beef. Echinococcus species are primarily associated with dogs and foxes.
Conclude that Taenia solium is the only option that fits the description of a tapeworm infection acquired from eating pork.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the causative organism for tapeworm infection associated with pork consumption.
Stem keywords: tapeworm infection, children, consume pork, causative organism
Lead-in keywords: Which

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