tapeworm infection, an intestinal infection by one of several species of parasitic worms, caused by eating raw or undercooked meat infested with tapeworm, its larvae, or food contaminated with feces containing tapeworm eggs. Symptoms of intestinal infection with adult worms are usually mild or absent, but diarrhea, epigastric pain, and weight loss may occur. Diagnosis is made when eggs or parts of the adult worm are passed in the stool. Treatment is with praziquantel and albendazole. Sanitary disposal of fecal material from affected patients is necessary to prevent the passage of larvae or eggs to other humans or other hosts. Certain species of tapeworm can infect humans during the larval stage, causing a serious, often cystic, condition of larval infestation. Also called cestode infection, cestodiasis. See also cysticercosis, tapeworm.
