Bovine Cysticercosis. I. Longevity of Cysticerci of Taenia saginata

Abstract

Cysticerci from cattle exposed to a single inoculum of Taenia saginata eggs were shown to be viable in some animals for at least 639 days. This fact precludes the practical possibility of maintaining cattle sufficiently long to insure that all cysticerci are dead. Methods for determining viability of cysticerci and the variability in numbers of cysticerci developing in cattle from a single exposure to T. saginata ova are reported and discussed.