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Taenia saginatus (Taenia saginata, beef tapeworm)
Humans are the only definitive host.
Epidemiology:
1) present world-wide
2) prevalent in:
a) Middle East
b) Africa
c) Europe
d) Asia
e) Latin America
3) humans are only definitive host for the adult stage
Pathology:
1) 3-10 meter long tapeworm
2) inhabits upper jejunum
Clinical manifestations:
1) abdominal discomfort
2) diarrhea
Laboratory:
1) stool examination for eggs (3 months after infection)
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
c) gravid uterus of Taenia has 15-20 lateral branches
3) complete blood count: eosinophilia may be present
4) serum IgE may be elevated
5) Taenia saginatus serology
Management:
1) praziquantel 10-20 mg/kg PO single dose
2) niclosamide 0.5-2 g chewed thoroughly (single dose)
Related
Taenia saginatus antibody
General
Taenia
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
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 931