ABSTRACT
Cestodes (“tapeworms”) have selected humans as hosts basically at two levels. The first includes the human small intestine as the site of residence and development to maturation by several adult stage tapeworm species belonging either to the “lower” (Pseudophyllidea) or “higher” (Cyclophyllidea) cestodes. The life cycle of these tapeworms usually included one or more intermediate hosts in which the larval stage of the parasite underwent development and differentiation to infectiosity for human final hosts. At another level, humans can function as intermediate hosts for some cestode species. A tapeworm larva will then develop in organ tissues, generally causing much more damage and organ dysfunction than intestinal adult tapeworms.
