Page 146 - parasitology for medical and clinical laboratoryprofessionals
P. 146
126 CHAPTER 5
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
FIGURE 5-6 Illustration of the life cycle of Taenia spp., the causal agents of cysticercosis
suckers. The proglottids develop as the worm matures
in the intestines over a period of 3 to 4 months. The
adult tapeworm may live in the small intestine as long as
25 years and pass gravid (pregnant) proglottids with the
feces (Figure 5-7). Eggs produced by the proglottids can
persist on vegetation for several days and may be con-
sumed by cattle or pigs, in which they hatch and form Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
cysticerci, which may then be passed to other animals.
Cysticercosis
The symptoms for the disease vary with the intensity of
the infection. Light infections may remain asymptomatic, FIGURE 5-7 Proglottids of Taenia spp.
