In humans, Taenia solium can cause two types of infections: taeniasis and cysticercosis. Taeniasis occurs when a person ingests undercooked pork containing cysticerci, the larval stage of the worm. The larvae develop into adult tapeworms in the intestine. Cysticercosis occurs when eggs from the worm are ingested, leading to the development of cysticerci in various tissues, including the brain, muscles, and skin.
Histologically, cysticercosis is characterized by the presence of cysts in tissues, surrounded by a host inflammatory response. The cyst is composed of a bladder-like structure with an invaginated scolex. Over time, the cyst can become calcified, a process that can be observed under the microscope.
