From the Guidelines
Tapeworm infection in the biliary tract is typically asymptomatic, but may cause minor abdominal symptoms, and treatment options include antiparasitic medications such as Praziquantel. The symptoms of a tapeworm infection in the biliary tract may include minor abdominal symptoms, and segments may be passed in stool or may actively expel themselves per rectum 1.
Treatment Options
- Praziquantel: The recommended treatment for tapeworm infection is Praziquantel, given at a dose of 10 mg/kg as a single dose 1.
- Species identification: It is essential to establish the species of infecting tapeworm, as intestinal stages of T. solium may coexist with neurocysticercosis, which requires different treatment 1.
- Clinical management: Treatment should be individualized and monitored by a healthcare professional, as the choice of medication and duration of treatment may vary depending on the specific type of tapeworm, the severity of the infection, and the patient's overall health. Some cases may require cysticercosis serology or consideration of albendazole treatment, especially if the infecting species is T. solium or if the species has not been identified 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
ACTION: ... Praziquantel is active against cestodes (tapeworms). Praziquantel is absorbed, metabolized in the liver and excreted in the bile. Upon entering the digestive tract from the bile, cestocidal activity is exhibited.
TREATMENT: Dogs infected with E multilocularis should be treated to prevent exposure of humans to infective eggs and to break the parasite's life cycle.
The symptoms of a tapeworm infection in the biliary tract are not directly mentioned in the provided drug labels. The treatment option for a tapeworm infection in the biliary tract is Praziquantel.
- Praziquantel is active against cestodes (tapeworms) and is excreted in the bile, where it exhibits cestocidal activity.
- The dosage of Praziquantel for removal of tapeworms is the same as that indicated for the removal of the other tapeworm species listed on the label 2, 2.
From the Research
Symptoms of Tapeworm Infection in the Biliary Tract
- Biliary obstruction, which can lead to serious complications such as cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma 3
- Intrahepatic stones, recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, cirrhosis, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, and cholangiocarcinoma in the case of Clonorchis sinensis infestation 3
- Acute hepatic or chronic biliary tract infection in the case of Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica infestation 3
- Right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever, as seen in a case of biliary ascariasis 4
- Obstructive jaundice and cholangitis, which can be associated with failure to medical management 5
Treatment Options for Tapeworm Infection in the Biliary Tract
- Oral treatment with anti-helminthic therapy, such as mebendazol or albendazole, which is inexpensive and effective for most parasites 6, 5
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which can be used diagnostically and therapeutically to remove the tapeworm and clear the biliary tract 3, 7, 5
- Surgical treatment, such as open cholecystectomy, which may be necessary in some cases, especially if there is a large number of parasites or if the patient does not respond to medical management 4
- Bile duct sweeping and anthelmintic therapy, which can be used to remove the tapeworm and prevent recurrent biliary events 7