Essay on Disease: Taenia Saginata Taenia Saginata is a type of tapeworm species found in the muscles of cows. Infections with this parasite begin when humans consume infected, undercooked beef/cattle. This flat, white parasite, four to eight meters long, is composed of three parts: the scolex, the neck and the strobile. The scolex includes four suckers, which are its way of attaching to the intestine. The rest of its body contains its own reproductive system, which includes both the male and female reproductive systems. Taenia Saginata does not have a digestive system and therefore obtains its nutrients from the human intestine. There is a cycle until the point where the Taenia Saginata parasite ends. Reservoirs of Taenia Saginata usually begin in intermediate hosts such as: cows, reindeer, camels or sheep - usually animals infected with the parasite. Taenia Saginata then moves to permanent hosts due to humans consuming infected beef. There are usually no vectors, but dipteran flies can carry T. saginata eggs. Taenia Saginata's mode of transmission begins first in animals, the definitive hosts, who feed on plants found in soil that have Taenia Saginata eggs that end up being infected. After the infected meat is ingested by humans, the intermediate hosts, the eggs begin to develop into adult tapeworms that are found in the intestines of humans. Whether animals or humans are infected, transmission is quite similar. It must be ingested, whether the eggs are found in feces or meat, the mode of transmission is usually via consumption of the eggs. Furthermore, lack of hygiene plays an important role in transmission. Taenia Saginata is similar to Taenia Solium, and when T. Saginata was first discovered in the 1700s... middle of paper... roughly treating the disease could cause the parasite to grow back to its normal size adult form. In the past two years, four cases have been reported in Korea that tested positive for Taenia Saginata. To be more accurate, they found the coxl gene when testing with PCR-RFLP. There is ongoing research to develop a vaccine for infected animals, but none for humans. Additionally, public health laws are in place to prevent infected livestock from being sold to meat-eating humans. There are many ways to contract this disease, and whether it comes from contaminated meat and water or poor hygiene, some preventative measures should be taken. For example, you can thoroughly cook meat by using food thermometers to indicate that the meat is done during cooking. Also, clean fruits and vegetables that may have come into contact with infected feces.