The life cycles of the beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) and pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) involve alternate larval and adult stages in two hosts. Adult worms attach to the intestine and absorb nutrients, forming proglottids which contain male and female organs and produce eggs. Eggs are passed in feces and if ingested by cattle or pigs, can develop larval cysts in their tissues. Humans ingest undercooked meat containing cysts and the worms mature in the digestive tract. Eggs passed in human feces can also infect humans if ingested.
The life cycles of the beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) and pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) involve alternate larval and adult stages in two hosts. Adult worms attach to the intestine and absorb nutrients, forming proglottids which contain male and female organs and produce eggs. Eggs are passed in feces and if ingested by cattle or pigs, can develop larval cysts in their tissues. Humans ingest undercooked meat containing cysts and the worms mature in the digestive tract. Eggs passed in human feces can also infect humans if ingested.
The life cycles of the beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) and pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) involve alternate larval and adult stages in two hosts. Adult worms attach to the intestine and absorb nutrients, forming proglottids which contain male and female organs and produce eggs. Eggs are passed in feces and if ingested by cattle or pigs, can develop larval cysts in their tissues. Humans ingest undercooked meat containing cysts and the worms mature in the digestive tract. Eggs passed in human feces can also infect humans if ingested.
alternate larval and adult stages in two hosts: intermediate and definitive. Adult worms attach to the intestine by means of the scolex and absorb nutrients from the host. A ribbonlike chain of segments called proglottids form, each of which contains male and female sexual organs and produce ova. Proglottids or ova are passed in the feces sporadically; multiple examinations may be required for diagnosis. Intermediate hosts (cattle, pigs) ingest the eggs and develop larval cysts in their tissues. Cysts are eaten by the definitive host in uncooked meat; they mature into tape-worms in the digestive tract. Humans may also ingest T. solium eggs,