Case #340 - February, 2013
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The DPDx Team received a pair of proglottids from a state health lab for cestode confirmation and identification. The specimens were submitted in 70% ethanol and measured on average 12.0 mm long by 3.0 mm wide. The proglottids were reportedly found in the feces of a 43-year-old woman with no documented international travel. Figures A and B show one of the proglottids. Figures C and D show the same proglottid after soaking in lactophenol for several hours. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
Case Answer
This was a case of taeniasis caused by the beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata. Diagnostic morphologic features included:
- a single, prominent lateral genital pore (GP, Figure D).
- more than 13 primary uterine branches on either side of the central uterine stem (Figures C and D).
Figure D
More on: Taeniasis
Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.
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