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Beef Tapeworm infection is an infection of the intestine resulted from cestode(tapeworm) called Taenia Saginata. Beef Tapeworm infection is especially common in South America, Africa, Mexico, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Although, it is not common in the U.S., such infection is occuring in many states. A worm in adult is living in the human intestines and can grow fifteen to thirty feet in length. Proglottids(worm's egg-bearing sections) are passed in the stool and being eaten by cattles. The egg is hatching in the cattle and invading the wall of the intestine. The egg is then carrying in the blood to skeletal muscles, where it is forming cysticerci(cysts). The person is infected by eating cysticerci in undercooked or raw beef. Although beef tapeworm infection generally results no symptoms, some individuals have weight loss, diarrhea, and upper abdominal pain. In some cases, an infected individual can feel a worm piece moving out through his or her anus. Beef tapeworm infection diagnosis is usually determined when the worm's piece is discovered in the stool. Physician can press cellophane tape's sticky side against the part around the anus, put the tape on a glass slide and test it for parasite egg under a microscope. Beef tapeworm infection can be prevented by preparing beef for at least five minutes at a minimum temperature of 133o F. An infected individual is treated with praziquantel or niclosamide used orally. The stool should be rechecked after three and six months to be sure that beef tapeworm infection is cured.
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