Tapeworm Infection

Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. If you ingest certain tapeworm eggs, they can migrate outside your intestines and form larval cysts in body tissues and organs (invasive infection). If you ingest tapeworm larvae, however, they develop into adult tapeworms in your intestines.

A 59-year-old Chinese man was admitted because of worsening diarrhea. Physical examination was unremarkable, blood tests showed a low serum potassium of 2.8 mmol/L, other laboratory tests were normal. Repeated stool tests and abdominal CT were normal. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were negative. Stool studies showed no ova or parasites. He was given oral Smectite Powder for two weeks without improvement. A capsule endoscopy was performed to further evaluate the cause of the diarrhea.