Disease causing Platyhelminthes

Schistosoma Japonicum


The worm at maturity inside the host grows about fifteen mm in length.  The males have a groove on the ventral side and are shorter and stouter then the females.  They both have a sucker around the mouth.  The skin of them is coated with tiny ridges, spines, and sensory organs. They are a parasite that uses humans as a host.  The eggs trigger immune response that causes health problems.  The eggs cause fevers, weakness, liver damage, kidney damage, blood in urine, and abdominal pain.  This condition is called schistosomiasis.  They are found in China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia.  The way they treat schistosomiasis is by a chemical treatment using the drug praziquantel.  A way to prevent these is to not come in contact with fresh water where they are commonly found. 

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Schistosoma_japonicum/

Paragonimus westermani

The adult fluke is 4-6 mm wide and 3-5 mm thick and 7-12 mm long.  They are reddish brown.  They have two suckers.  The health problems with paragonimus westermani is paragonimiasis, which   causes pain in the lungs and severe coughing that can have blood come up. They are found in Africa, Asia, and south and Central America.  It is most common in Southeast Asia because of the seafood.  It can be treated with a drug called praziquantel.  A way that it can be prevented is by cooking and freezing the food it is found in. 

http://www.parasitesinhumans.org/paragonimus-westermani-lung-fluke.html

Taenia Saginata


They can grow up to 25 meters, but are usually about 5 meters.  They have four suckers that attach to the intestines in a human.  The cysts that they make develop in muscle of the host animal.  People who are infected do not show symptoms until the worm is very large and then they feel full and nauseous.  They are most commonly found in Mexico, South America, and East and West Africa.  They use Praziquantel to help get rid of the tape worm from the body.  A way to prevent this tape worm is to inspect all beef and also to cook your beef very well. 

http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Taenia_saginata/index.html