T. saginata is commonly referred to as the “beef tape
worm”. It is the second largest human tape worm known to parasitize man. It is
found in the small intestine.
worm”. It is the second largest human tape worm known to parasitize man. It is
found in the small intestine.
Geographical Distribution
The worm has a world – wide distribution, but commonly
found in areas where beef meat (cow r cattle) is eaten rare or boiled. This
include areas as Africa, Britain, Syria, South America etc.
found in areas where beef meat (cow r cattle) is eaten rare or boiled. This
include areas as Africa, Britain, Syria, South America etc.
Morphology
The adult worm is yellowish-white in colour, tape-like
(flat) in structure and measuring about 3-4m (15 – 20ft and sometimes worms of
35 – 50ft has been found in human system). The body of the worm is divided into
the head, neck and proglottides. The head referred to as the scolex possesses
four muscular suckers which are the organs of attachment and cuboid in shape.
It is devoid of hooks or rostellum, but houses the tiny brain of the worm. The
scolex usually measures about 1.5-2mm in width.
(flat) in structure and measuring about 3-4m (15 – 20ft and sometimes worms of
35 – 50ft has been found in human system). The body of the worm is divided into
the head, neck and proglottides. The head referred to as the scolex possesses
four muscular suckers which are the organs of attachment and cuboid in shape.
It is devoid of hooks or rostellum, but houses the tiny brain of the worm. The
scolex usually measures about 1.5-2mm in width.
The neck which is hardly
noticed is the growing region of the worm, thus it is fussed with the solex. It
consist of the young and immature proglothide.
The rest of the body is called
strobila. It consist of 1,000 or more
proglothides which are detachable. Each segment or proglothides
possesses both male and female organs with more than 13 uterine branches (13 –
15, 15 – 20, etc.). They measure about 20mm in length and 6mm wide. The
strobila also contains the mature and gravid segments. It has no digestive system
but feeds by absorption of intestinal fluids. It also possesses nerve trunks
which runs from the soclex – through to the gravid segments.
noticed is the growing region of the worm, thus it is fussed with the solex. It
consist of the young and immature proglothide.
The rest of the body is called
strobila. It consist of 1,000 or more
proglothides which are detachable. Each segment or proglothides
possesses both male and female organs with more than 13 uterine branches (13 –
15, 15 – 20, etc.). They measure about 20mm in length and 6mm wide. The
strobila also contains the mature and gravid segments. It has no digestive system
but feeds by absorption of intestinal fluids. It also possesses nerve trunks
which runs from the soclex – through to the gravid segments.
Life cycle
Man is the only known
definitive host and the cow is the intermediate host. Usually gravid segments
are passed out in stool. The eggs which are spherical in shape; measuring about
30 – 40u contains a viable larva with 6 hock lets. The cow while feeding on the
grasses, picks up the eggs which ruptures in the intestine to release the larva.
It is referred to as cysticercus bovic the larva then penetrates the intestinal
walls and enters the blood stream, where it is carried to the muscles and other
organs of the animal. Where it encysts. The affected organs includes the
tongue, lungs, diaphragms, skeletal muscles, myocardium etc.
definitive host and the cow is the intermediate host. Usually gravid segments
are passed out in stool. The eggs which are spherical in shape; measuring about
30 – 40u contains a viable larva with 6 hock lets. The cow while feeding on the
grasses, picks up the eggs which ruptures in the intestine to release the larva.
It is referred to as cysticercus bovic the larva then penetrates the intestinal
walls and enters the blood stream, where it is carried to the muscles and other
organs of the animal. Where it encysts. The affected organs includes the
tongue, lungs, diaphragms, skeletal muscles, myocardium etc.
Man acquires the infection
by eating raw, rare, boiled, picked or insufficiently cooked beef containing
the bladder worm in man, the scolex originates from the cyst and attaches
itself to the intestinal wall (i.e the duodenum) where it develop into an adult
worm within 2 – 4 months. Auto infection does not occur.
by eating raw, rare, boiled, picked or insufficiently cooked beef containing
the bladder worm in man, the scolex originates from the cyst and attaches
itself to the intestinal wall (i.e the duodenum) where it develop into an adult
worm within 2 – 4 months. Auto infection does not occur.
Prevention
i.
Proper disposal of excreta
ii.
Adequate cooking of meat
iii.
Meat inspection (i.e anti-mortem and postmortem
inspections)
iv.
Health education
v.
Use of drugs (anti-helmntic)