Taenia solium
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| Taenia solium | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Platyhelminthes |
| Class | Cestoda |
| Order | Cyclophyllidea |
| Family | Taeniidae |
| Genus | Taenia |
| Species | T. solium |
| Also known as: | Cysticercus cellulosae Human pork tapeworm |
Hosts
Intermediate host: Pig, and also occasionally the dog and man.
Definitive host: Man.
Identification
The adults are 3-5m in length, have a scolex, and several rows of hooks.
Life Cycle
The life-cycle is similar to that of T. saginata, except now the pig is the intermediate host. Gravid segments, containing the parasite eggs are passed in faeces. The oncospheres are then ingested by the intermediate host, in this case the pig, and pass into the blood system, infecting striated muscles. The cysticerci may also develop in the lungs, liver, kidney and the brain. Like T. saginata, humans, which are the definitive host becomes infected via ingestion of poorly cooked meat.
References
Taylor, M.A, Coop, R.L., Wall,R.L. (2007) Veterinary Parasitology Blackwell Publishing