Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
Doctors find a 70 cm beef tapeworm in a woman with few symptoms
Doctors found a beef tapeworm in a 48-year-old woman from Lai Chau during a routine check at Bach Mai Hospital.
She had few digestive symptoms, and an endoscopy found the parasite extending from her small intestine into her colon.
Tests identified it as a beef tapeworm, also known as Taenia saginata.
Beef tapeworm infection can happen after eating raw or undercooked beef containing tapeworm larvae.
Doctors removed a section about 70 centimetres long, but that does not prove the whole parasite was removed.
The tapeworm's head can remain attached to the intestine, so she was referred for further assessment and prescribed medication.
People who notice white tapeworm segments in their stool or on their clothing are advised to seek medical care, especially if they regularly eat raw beef.
Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital in Vietnam found a beef tapeworm in the intestine of a 48-year-old woman who had few digestive symptoms.
The parasite extended from the end of the ileum to the transverse colon, and doctors removed a section about 70 cm long.
Laboratory testing identified the sample as a beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata.
Doctors said the removed section might not represent the entire parasite and that the patient needed prescribed medication.
The article says beef tapeworm infection can result from eating raw or undercooked beef containing tapeworm larvae.
- Who
- A 48-year-old woman from Lai Chau and doctors at Bach Mai Hospital.
- What
- Doctors found a beef tapeworm in her intestine and removed a section about 70 cm long.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam.
- Why
- The woman went for a routine check-up; the article says beef tapeworm infection can come from eating raw or undercooked beef containing larvae.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The woman went to Bach Mai Hospital despite having almost no digestive symptoms.
Doctors found a parasite extending from the end of the ileum to the transverse colon and removed about 70 cm.
The sample was sent for testing, which identified it as a beef tapeworm.
The patient was transferred for examination, consultation and prescribed medication.
- Patient
- 48-year-old woman from Lai Chau
- Hospital
- Bach Mai Hospital
- Removed section
- About 70 cm
- Parasite identified
- Beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata)
- Symptoms
- No abdominal pain or digestive problems reported
What people are saying
The head of the tapeworm can remain attached to the small intestine and continue to grow. Therefore, patients must be treated with the prescribed medication.
People who regularly eat raw beef should seek medical help as soon as possible if they find white tapeworm segments in their stool or on their clothes.
Sources
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