Taenia solium

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Taenia solium
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Platyhelminthes
Class Cestoda
Order Cyclophyllidea
Family Taeniidae
Genus Taenia
Species T. solium
Taenia solium
Roberto J. Galindo, Wikimedia Commons

Also known as: Cysticercus cellulosae — Human pork tapeworm

Hosts

Intermediate host: Pig (natural intermediate host), man (accidental intermediate host) and very exceptionally the dog.

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 hosts, become infected via ingestion of poorly cooked meat containing viable cysticerci. Contrary to T. saginata, humans can also act as intermediate host. Cysticerci can develop in several tissues, including the central nervous system, causing neurocysticercosis in man.

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Literature Search

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Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).


Taenia solium publications since 2000

References

Taylor, M.A, Coop, R.L., Wall,R.L. (2007) Veterinary Parasitology Blackwell Publishing

Ito A et al. Dogs as alternative intermediate hosts of Taenia solium in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia confirmed by highly specific ELISA and immunoblot using native and recombinant antigens and mitochondrial DNA analysis. J Helminthol. 2002 Dec;76(4):311-4.