Life Cycle of Taenia saginata and T.
solium
T. saginata and T. solium passes its life cycle in 2 hosts. Definitive host is Human in both species and harbor the
adult worm, whereas intermediate host in T. saginata is Cattle (cow or buffalo) and pig in T. solium and harbor
the larval stage of the worm. Infective stage to man is larva stage in both species, while eggs are infective to cattle
in T. saginata but T. solium eggs are infective to man.
Autoinfection: A man harboring adult T. solium worm may autoinfect oneself, either by unhygienic personal
habits or by reverse peristalsis of the intestine.
In intestinal taeniasis, the life cycle is similar in both species. The adult worm lives in the small intestine of man.
The oncospheres are released in the duodenum or jejunum and penetrate the intestinal wall and becomes attached
to the mucosa, and by gradual strobilization develops into the adult worm in about 2–3 months. In T. solium, it
enters the mesenteric venules or lymphatics and are carried in systemic circulation to the different parts of the
body. They are filtered out principally in the muscles, where they develop into the larval stage, cysticercus
cellulosae in about 60–70 days. In humans, it is a dead end and the larvae die without further development. The
gravid segments from the adult worm breakaway and are expelled. They actively force their way out through the
anal sphincter. The eggs or gravid segments are passed out with feces on the ground. The eggs deposited in soil
remain viable for several weeks. They are infective to cattle or pigs, which ingest the eggs while grazing. The
further development of the eggs is similar in man and pigs in T. solium whereas in T. saginata when ingested by
cattle (cow or buffalo), the eggshell ruptures releasing onchosphere in the duodenum. The onchospheres, with their
hooklets penetrate the intestinal wall, reach the mesenteric venules or lymphatics and enter the systemic
circulation. They get filtered out in the striated muscles, particularly in muscles of the tongue, neck, shoulder, ham,
and in the myocardium. In these sites, the onchosheres lose their hooks and in about 60–70 days develop in the
mature larva, cysticercus bovis. The cysticerci can live in flesh of cattle for about 8 months, but can develop
further only when ingested by man, its definitive host.
The adult worm has a life span of 10 years or more. Infection in usually with a single worm, but sometimes
multiple infection is seen, and 25 or more worms have been reported in patients.
Pathogenicity and Clinical Features
Intestinal Taeniasis
It can be caused by both T. saginata and T. solium. The adult worm, in spite of its large size, causes surprisingly
little inconvenience to the patient. When the infection is symptomatic, vague abdominal discomfort, indigestion,
nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss may be present. Occasional cases of acute intestinal obstruction, acute
appendicitis, and pancreatitis have also been reported.
Cysticercosis
It is caused by larval stage (cysticecus cellulosae) of T. solium. Cysticercus cellulosae may be solitary or more
often multiple. Any organ or tissue may be involved, the most common being subcutaneous tissues and muscles. It
may also affect the eyes, brain, and less often the heart, liver, lungs, abdominal cavity, and spinal cord. The
cysticercus is surrounded by a fibrous capsule except in the eye and ventricles of the brain. The larvae evoke a
cellular reaction starting with infiltration of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and at times, giant
cells. This is followed by fibrosis and death of the larva with eventual calcification. The clinical features depend on
the site affected.
Subcutaneous nodules are mostly asymptomatic, Muscular cysticerosis may cause acute myositis.
Neurocysticerosis (cysticercosis of brain) is the most common and most serious form of cysticercosis. About 70%
of adult-onset epilepsy is due to neurocysticercosis. Other clinical features of neuro cysticercosis are increased
intracranial tension, hydrocephalus, psychiatric disturbances, meningo encephalitis, transient paresis, behavioral
disorders aphasia, and visual disturbances.
In ocular cysticercosis, cysts are found in vitreous humor, subretinal space and conjunctiva. The condition may
present as blurred vision or loss of vision, iritis, uveitis, and palpebral conjunctivitis.
