saginata

Saginata most often refers to Taenia saginata, the beef tapeworm, a parasitic flatworm that infects humans as the definitive host. It is a cestode in the family Taeniidae. The adult tapeworm lives in the human small intestine and can reach several meters in length, composed of a head (scolex) and a chain of reproductive segments (proglottids).

Life cycle starts when a person ingests cysticerci, the larval cysts, in undercooked or raw beef containing them. In the intestine, the cysticerci develop into mature tapeworms that release eggs and gravid proglottids, which pass in feces. Cattle become infected by ingesting eggs from contaminated feed or environment; the larvae migrate to muscle tissue and form cysticerci, which can then be transmitted to humans who eat the meat.

Clinical features are often mild or absent. Some individuals experience digestive symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, nausea, or changes in appetite. Heavy worm burdens are uncommon but may cause more noticeable symptoms and, rarely, complications related to massed proglottids.

Diagnosis is typically based on detection of eggs or gravid proglottids in stool, or by molecular methods in ambiguous cases. Imaging or serology may assist in atypical presentations.

Treatment usually involves anthelmintic drugs such as praziquantel or niclosamide, which are effective in a single or short course. Prevention focuses on proper cooking or freezing of beef, meat inspection, and sanitation to prevent fecal contamination of cattle habitats.