Question

The secondary host of Taenia saginata is
(a) Cow
(b) Sheep
(c) Pig
(d) Both A and B

Answer 1

Hint: These animals eat plants for their diets, that's what makes them herbivores. They eat occasional insects or birds or whatever as they graze, but those are incidental to the grazing, accidentally, not something they do on purpose.

Complete step by step answer:
Taenia saginata which is also known as the beef tapeworm is transmitted to humans in the form of infectious larval cysts found in the meat of cattle, which serve as the parasite's usual intermediate host. The Taenia saginata is usually seen in cattle breeding areas of the world. Consumption of cyst infected uncooked or undercooked beef is the most common means of transmission. The secondary hosts of Taenia saginata include cows, buffalos, sheep, and goats.

So, the correct answer is, ‘Both A and B.’

Additional Information:
- Taeniasis is an infection seen in the intestines of animals, caused by adult tapeworms, which belongs to the genus Taenia. There are generally no or only mild symptoms. Symptoms may occasionally include weight loss or abdominal pain. Segments of tapeworm may be seen in the stool. Complications of pork tapeworm may include cysticercosis.
- Tapeworms can cause digestive problems which include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and upset stomach. The most common symptom of taeniasis seen is the active passing of proglottids (tapeworm segments) through the anus and in the feces.
- Diagnosis of Taenia tapeworm infections is done by analyzing the stool samples; individuals should also be asked if they have passed tapeworm segments. Stool specimens should be collected continuously on 3 different days and examined in the lab for Taenia eggs using a microscope.

Note: Taeniasis in humans is a type of parasitic infection caused by the tapeworm species Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm). Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by the consumption of raw or undercooked beef (T. saginata) or pork (T. solium and T. asiatica). People with taeniasis will be unaware that they got an infection because symptoms are usually mild or nonexistent.
Taenia solium tapeworm infections can cause cysticercosis, which could be a disease that will cause seizures, so it's important to seek treatment.