A patient passes a segment of tapeworm in stool. Microscopy shows the proglottid has a central uterine stem with 15–20 lateral branches. The patient likely ate undercooked beef. Which species is this and what is the treatment?
- A Taenia solium; praziquantel
- B Diphyllobothrium latum; niclosamide
- C Taenia saginata; praziquantel or niclosamide ✓
- D Echinococcus granulosus; albendazole
Correct answer: C. Taenia saginata; praziquantel or niclosamide
Explanation
Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) proglottids have 15–30 lateral uterine branches from a central stem, whereas T. solium (pork tapeworm) has only 7–12 lateral branches. T. saginata is acquired from undercooked beef and causes intestinal taeniasis without cysticercosis risk (unlike T. solium). Praziquantel (10 mg/kg single dose) or niclosamide are both effective. Distinguishing the two species is clinically important because T. solium egg ingestion causes neurocysticercosis, necessitating enhanced public health precautions.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.