Clinical diagnosis is usually made by observing the white, mobile tapeworm segments in the feces or crawling around the anus. These segments look like grains of white rice or cucumber seeds.
What do tapeworm sections look like?
Most tapeworms are seen as segments (which are individual egg packets) either stuck around the anus or crawling out of a fresh stool. When dried up, they look like small rice grains. Before they dry out, they look like small white balls of jelly that inch along.
What can be mistaken for tapeworm segments?
Segments of tapeworm detach and are passed via the stool. Roundworms and tapeworms are visually comparable with mung bean sprouts; microbiologic analysis is required to confirm diagnosis, as evidenced in our case.
Do tapeworms come out in segments?
As the tapeworm matures inside the intestine, these segments (proglottids) break off and pass into the stool.
Are tapeworm segments hard or soft?
These segments look like grains of rice and contain tapeworm eggs, which are released into the environment when the segment dries. The dried segments are small (about 1/16-inch), hard and golden in color. Be aware that tapeworms are not readily diagnosed with routine fecal examinations.
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