Taenia

Taenia species may grow to 25 feet in length & live for 20 years (see Cestoda). Laboratory: 1) stool examination for eggs a) eggs spherical 31-43 um in diameter b) egg shell is thick striated & contains a 6-hooked embryo c) eggs from Taenia species are indistinguishable 2) identification made from recovery of proglottid or scolex a) Taenia proglottids have a lateral protrusion called a genital pore b) injection of India ink through genital pore with a tuberculin syringe may outline the uterus 3) Taenia antigen in stool 4) Taenia DNA in stool

Specific

Taenia hydatigena Taenia multiceps (dog tapeworm) Taenia saginatus (Taenia saginata, beef tapeworm) Taenia solium (pork tapeworm, cysticercus)

Properties

KINGDOM: animal PHYLUM: helminth

References

Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1287