Which stage of Taenia saginata is infective for humans?

Which stage of Taenia saginata is infective for humans?

• A. Embryonated egg
• B. Rhabditiform larva
• C. Filariform larva
• D. Cysticercus larva

Answer: (A)

In Taenia saginata, humans become infected by eating beef that contains the larval stage in muscle. This larval form, called the cysticercus, is what makes the beef infectious to us. Once ingested, the cysticercus develops into the adult tapeworm in the human small intestine. The embryonated egg is the form released by the adult worm and would infect the intermediate host (cattle) if ingested, not humans. The other options describe nematode larvae and aren’t part of Taenia saginata’s life cycle.

In Taenia saginata, humans become infected by eating beef that contains the larval stage in muscle. This larval form, called the cysticercus, is what makes the beef infectious to us. Once ingested, the cysticercus develops into the adult tapeworm in the human small intestine. The embryonated egg is the form released by the adult worm and would infect the intermediate host (cattle) if ingested, not humans. The other options describe nematode larvae and aren’t part of Taenia saginata’s life cycle.