Cysticercosis (Cysticercus bovis & C. cellulosae)
Introduction
Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by larval stages of Taenia tapeworms. It is important in food safety and public health.
Causative Agents
- Cysticercus bovis (beef measles – Taenia saginata)
- Cysticercus cellulosae (pork measles – Taenia solium)
Epidemiology
- Cattle (T. saginata cycle)
- Pigs (T. solium cycle)
- Humans (definitive host; also accidental intermediate host in T. solium)
Pathogenesis
- Ingestion of eggs → larvae migrate to muscle
- Formation of cysticerci in muscle tissue
Clinical Signs
- Usually asymptomatic in animals
- Detected at meat inspection
Diagnosis
- Postmortem inspection (carcass examination)
- Serology (limited use)
Control
- Meat inspection
- Proper cooking of meat
- Human sanitation
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