Taenia saginata, The Beef Tapeworm, & The Dangers Of Rare Beef

Taenia saginata is the Human Tapeworm that comes from beef. Cattle become infected from ingesting the eggs and once inside the intestine, the eggs release the oncosphere (first-stage larvae), making them an intermediate host, the oncosphere then separates and invades the intestinal wall migrating to the striated muscles, where it develops into a cyst-like structure, a cysticercus. The cysticercus can survive for several years in the tissue of the cattle. Humans become infected by ingesting raw or undercooked infected meat, making them the host. Taenia saginata infestations occur worldwide, however, only 1% in the United States.

The Taenia saginata is a segmented worm, and usually the first sign of infestation is the passing of broken pieces of the segments in stool. There have been cases of obstruction of the appendix (appendicitis) or pancreatic ducts (pancreatitis) by the adult worms. Other symptoms of a Taenia saginata infestation include: mild epigastric discomfort, diarrhea, and weight loss.