A parasitic disorder caused by taeniae or tapeworms.
In the case of infestation with Taenia saginata, the host may not have any symptoms and only become aware that he or she is infested upon seeing part of a tapeworm in FAECES. In the case of Taenia solium the eggs, when swallowed, may migrate into the tissues of the body and cause hydatid cysts. If these occur in the muscles they may cause little trouble, but if they occur in the brain or liver they can prove very serious.
Treatment
is with antihelminthic drugs such as niclosamide or praziquantel. Hydatid disease is treated by surgical removal of the cysts, sometimes in coordination with the drugs albendazole or mebendazole.