Cysticercus bovis

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Larval stage of Taenia saginata
Beef tapeworm

Question 2

Result of PMI

Answer 2

Partial rejection of organ if lightly infected then cold treatment
Total carcass rejection if lesion in more than 1 location
Category 2

Question 3

Which areas are affected?

Answer 3

Well oxygenated areas
Heart
Diaphragm
Masseter muscles
Tongue

Question 4

Prevention methods

Answer 4

Fully cook beef and wash hands after handling raw meat
Regularly worm cattle with fenbendazole (every 2 months)

Question 5

Life cycle

Answer 5

1. Gravid segments passed in faeces, eggs survive on pasture
2. Cows ingest oncospheres which circulate to striated muscle
3. Cysticerci develop in heart, diaphragm etc
4. adults mature and live in SI
5. Humans infected by eating undercooked beef containing cysticerci