Background:
Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) infection occurs after eating raw or undercooked beef meat carrying the larval stage of the parasite, which again matures to the adult stage in the human small intestine. Additionally, cysticercosis in Taenia solium infection in humans can occur through the accidental ingestion of the eggs of this parasite (fecal-oral route). The current study aimed at assessing human Taeniasis among housemaids residing in the Hail city, Saudi Arabia
Methodology:
A total of 120 stool samples were collected from subjects (both symptomatic and asymptomatic for human Taeniasis) at Hail General Hospital, Hail, Saudi Arabia. The specimen was collected in antiseptic plastic containers and carried to the parasitology laboratory in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Hail University, Saudi Arabia. The techniques including direct microscopic examination by using saline and iodine preparations, formol-ether concentration and Ziehl-Neelsen staining were used to examine the stool samples.
Results:
Among the total (120) stool samples screened, 5 samples were found positive for infection caused by Taenia species (4.16%). Ziehl Neelsen stain was used to distinguish between mature Taenia. solium and Taenia saginata eggs. There was no difference in results observed between the staining of eggs from fresh and preserved stool samples. In Taenia saginata eggs, the external cover or embryophore was found entirely colored magenta on Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Whereas the Taenia. solium eggs had their embryophore stained blue on Ziehl-Neelsen staining.
Conclusion:
This is the first study to report human Taeniasis among housemaids in Hail, Saudi Arabia. The study was successful in distinguishing between mature Taenia. solium and Taenia saginata eggs by using ZiehlNeelsen stain. Such studies could modify or standardize currently available screening technologies which could result in better and early detection of diseases like human Taeniasis.
Key words: Housemaids, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, cysticercosis, Saudi Arabia
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