A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review

Luyao Liu,1,2,* Yuanhao Ji,1,* Lanlan Feng,1 Tao Wang,1 Xiaoning Li,2 Jinsun Yang1 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affil...

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Main Authors: Liu L, Ji Y, Feng L, Wang T, Li X, Yang J
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-07-01
Series:Infection and Drug Resistance
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/a-case-report-of-taenia-saginata-infection-and-literature-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IDR
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author Liu L
Ji Y
Feng L
Wang T
Li X
Yang J
author_facet Liu L
Ji Y
Feng L
Wang T
Li X
Yang J
author_sort Liu L
collection DOAJ
description Luyao Liu,1,2,* Yuanhao Ji,1,* Lanlan Feng,1 Tao Wang,1 Xiaoning Li,2 Jinsun Yang1 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jinsun Yang, Email yangjinsun999999@163.comBackground: Despite the decreasing prevalence of parasitic infections, Taenia saginata infection remains a clinical concern in endemic regions. Humans acquire this infection by consuming raw or undercooked beef containing cysticerci. This study presents a case of T. saginata infection, reviews relevant literature, and underscores the importance of clinical awareness.Case Presentation: We report the case of a 24-year-old female with diarrhea and white nodules in stool, with a history of travel to a T. saginata-endemic region. The patient was successfully treated with traditional Chinese deworming therapy comprising pumpkin seeds and betel nuts, resulting in complete symptom resolution. Diagnosis was confirmed by morphological examination of expelled tapeworms, histological staining of proglottids, and molecular analysis.Literature Review: A PubMed search for “Taenia saginata” identified 92 articles, of which 8 with comprehensive clinical data were included. Eleven cases, including the present one, were analyzed for clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes. Among the 11 patients, 10 had a history of consuming raw or undercooked beef. Primary symptoms included diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. When T. saginata affected the biliary system or duodenal papilla, patients had elevated ALT, AST, ALP, and TBL levels, with severe complications like gallbladder perforation requiring surgery. Treatment options included praziquantel, clonidine, albendazole, and traditional Chinese medicine, showing favorable efficacy. Surgery was required in severe cases with positive outcomes.Conclusion: This study suggests T. saginata infection should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with diarrhea and relevant travel history. When parasitizing the intestinal or biliary tract, it can induce corresponding symptoms. The patient responded well to appropriate medical treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine, with favorable outcomes. Surgical intervention was performed when necessary.Keywords: Taenia saginata, case report, cox1, Chinese medicine, pumpkin seed and betel nut, literature review
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series Infection and Drug Resistance
spelling doaj-art-c40c555da8c0428cbca89acde035e94e2025-08-20T03:49:51ZengDove Medical PressInfection and Drug Resistance1178-69732025-07-01Volume 18Issue 134493458104704A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature ReviewLiu L0Ji YFeng LWang TLi X1Yang J2Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan MedicalDepartment of Clinical LaboratoryDepartment of Infectious DiseasesLuyao Liu,1,2,* Yuanhao Ji,1,* Lanlan Feng,1 Tao Wang,1 Xiaoning Li,2 Jinsun Yang1 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jinsun Yang, Email yangjinsun999999@163.comBackground: Despite the decreasing prevalence of parasitic infections, Taenia saginata infection remains a clinical concern in endemic regions. Humans acquire this infection by consuming raw or undercooked beef containing cysticerci. This study presents a case of T. saginata infection, reviews relevant literature, and underscores the importance of clinical awareness.Case Presentation: We report the case of a 24-year-old female with diarrhea and white nodules in stool, with a history of travel to a T. saginata-endemic region. The patient was successfully treated with traditional Chinese deworming therapy comprising pumpkin seeds and betel nuts, resulting in complete symptom resolution. Diagnosis was confirmed by morphological examination of expelled tapeworms, histological staining of proglottids, and molecular analysis.Literature Review: A PubMed search for “Taenia saginata” identified 92 articles, of which 8 with comprehensive clinical data were included. Eleven cases, including the present one, were analyzed for clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes. Among the 11 patients, 10 had a history of consuming raw or undercooked beef. Primary symptoms included diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. When T. saginata affected the biliary system or duodenal papilla, patients had elevated ALT, AST, ALP, and TBL levels, with severe complications like gallbladder perforation requiring surgery. Treatment options included praziquantel, clonidine, albendazole, and traditional Chinese medicine, showing favorable efficacy. Surgery was required in severe cases with positive outcomes.Conclusion: This study suggests T. saginata infection should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with diarrhea and relevant travel history. When parasitizing the intestinal or biliary tract, it can induce corresponding symptoms. The patient responded well to appropriate medical treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine, with favorable outcomes. Surgical intervention was performed when necessary.Keywords: Taenia saginata, case report, cox1, Chinese medicine, pumpkin seed and betel nut, literature reviewhttps://www.dovepress.com/a-case-report-of-taenia-saginata-infection-and-literature-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IDRTaenia saginatacase reportcox1Chinese medicinepumpkin seed and betel nutliterature review
spellingShingle Liu L
Ji Y
Feng L
Wang T
Li X
Yang J
A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review
Infection and Drug Resistance
Taenia saginata
case report
cox1
Chinese medicine
pumpkin seed and betel nut
literature review
title A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review
title_full A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review
title_fullStr A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review
title_short A Case Report of Taenia saginata Infection and Literature Review
title_sort case report of taenia saginata infection and literature review
topic Taenia saginata
case report
cox1
Chinese medicine
pumpkin seed and betel nut
literature review
url https://www.dovepress.com/a-case-report-of-taenia-saginata-infection-and-literature-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IDR
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