Life cycle

LIFE CYCLE

  • Eggs hatch in the small intestine and liberate the hexacanth embryo.
  • Hexacanth embryo penetrate the intestine wall and reach liver via circulation.
  • In the liver, hexacanth embryo break out of portal vessel and migrate in the parenchyma for about one month. The developing cysticercus migrate to the peritoneal cavity and attain maturity in about 53 days.
  • The matured cysticercus attach to the omentum and mesenteric serosal surface of the intestinal wall. The metacestode/larval tapeworm/bladder worm stage is known as “Cysticercus tenuicollis”.

Cysticercus tenuicollis

  • 6 cm in length, consists of single invaginated scolex, attached to a fluid containing bladder by a long neck. Final host acquires infection by ingestion of Cysticercus tenuicollis infected meat or offals.
  • Prepatent period is 51 days.
Last modified: Friday, 23 September 2011, 10:35 AM