Cysticercosis cellulosae causes infection with
**Core Concept**
Cysticercosis cellulosae is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of a tapeworm, resulting in the formation of cysts in various tissues, including the brain, muscles, and eyes. This condition is often acquired through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, typically in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, Taenia solium, is a species of tapeworm that can cause cysticercosis cellulosae. When an individual ingests feces contaminated with the eggs of Taenia solium, the larvae can penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to other parts of the body, where they form cysts. This process is known as autoinfection, where the same parasite infects the same host. The larvae of Taenia solium can infect various tissues, including the brain, muscles, and eyes, leading to symptoms such as seizures, muscle pain, and vision problems.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Taenia saginata is another species of tapeworm that causes beef tapeworm infection, characterized by the presence of adult worms in the small intestine, but not cysticercosis cellulosae.
**Option B:** Echinococcus granulosus is a different type of tapeworm that causes echinococcosis, also known as hydatid disease, which is characterized by the formation of cysts in the liver, lungs, and other organs.
**Option D:** Diphyllobothrium latum is a fish tapeworm that causes diphyllobothriasis, characterized by the presence of adult worms in the small intestine, but not cysticercosis cellulosae.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In areas where Taenia solium is endemic, cysticercosis cellulosae is a significant public health problem, and proper sanitation, hygiene, and food handling practices are essential to prevent the spread of infection.
**Correct Answer Line**
β Correct Answer: C. Taenia solium