Taenia

Introduction

Taenia species may grow to 25 feet in length & live for 20 years (see Cestoda).

Laboratory

• stool examination for eggs
  • eggs spherical 31-43 um in diameter
  • egg shell is thick striated & contains a 6-hooked embryo
  • eggs from Taenia species are indistinguishable
• identification made from recovery of proglottid or scolex
  • Taenia proglottids have a lateral protrusion called a genital pore
  • injection of India ink through genital pore with a tuberculin syringe may outline the uterus
• Taenia antigen in stool
• Taenia DNA in stool

More general terms

• Cestoda (tapeworm)

More specific terms

• Taenia hydatigena
• Taenia multiceps (dog tapeworm)
• Taenia saginatus (Taenia saginata, beef tapeworm)
• Taenia solium (pork tapeworm, cysticercus)