T. saginata is the beef tapeworm (Figure 87.8). Man is the only definitive host, and cattle are the significant intermediate hosts (Figure 87.9), though a variety of ungulates have been reported as being infected. The larval stage is a translucent fluid-filled bladder or cysticercus between 5 and 10 mm in diameter but, unlike the T. solium cysticercus, it has never been reliably described in a human. The adult is a large, white tapeworm that can reach 10 m in length, though more typically 2–5 m, weighing around 20–30 g. The scolex is equipped with suckers but not hooks (Figures 87.10). Mature proglottids detached from the distal end of the worm are highly motile and their independent emergence from the anus is the principal cause of symptomatology. An infected individual commonly harbours more than one worm. Human infection is acquired by eating undercooked beef. Cattle are infected when their feed or grazing is contaminated by …