Today, we’ll learn the difference between taenia solium and taenia saginata.
Difference Between Taenia solium and Taenia saginata
Taenia solium:
- The pork tapeworm, primarily infects pigs.
Humans become infected when they consume raw or undercooked pork meat containing the larvae. - Taenia solium eggs are excreted in human faeces. If proper sanitation precautions are not taken, the eggs can contaminate the environment and spread infection.
- Taenia solium larvae have the ability to migrate to other tissues and organs in the human body, including the brain, resulting in a condition known as neurocysticercosis.
- Taenia solium infection can cause abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, and digestive problems. Seizures, headaches, and neurological problems can result from neurocysticercosis.
Taenia saginata (Taenia saginata):
- They are also known as beef tapeworms because they primarily infect cattle.
- Humans become infected when they consume raw or undercooked beef meat containing the larvae.
- Taenia saginata eggs are not contagious to humans. Cattle consume them, and the larvae develop in the muscle tissue of infected animals.
- Taenia saginata larvae do not migrate extensively in the human body, unlike Taenia solium. They are mostly found in the intestines.
- Taenia saginata infection can cause abdominal pain, digestive problems, and weight loss. However, it does not usually result in neurocysticercosis or extensive larval migration.
Read More:
Taenia solium Diagram, Structure and Reproduction
