Answer to Case 480

Answer: Taenia saginata proglottid

As mentioned by Luis, Florida Fan, Atiya, and Sugar Magnolia, these proglottids can be differentiated by other large tapeworms by the size and shape of the proglottids, and the presence of more than 12 uterine branches arising from the central uterine canal/stem:

 Remember when counting uterine branches to only count them as they come off the central stem (primary branches), and only on ONE side (not both)!

As some readers mentioned, the proglottids of Taenia saginata are morphologically indistinguishable from those of T. asiatica; however, the patient's lack of travel outside of Europe makes infection with this latter parasite unlikely. Thanks again to Idzi Potters and the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, for this interesting case!