Parasitology Artifacts - Taenia artifacts

Table of Contents > Helminths > Intestinal Cestodes > Taenia species > Taenia species artifacts

Taenia species artifacts (Beef & Pork tapeworm)

T. solium

T. saginata

Pollen grains phase contrast x 400
	Pollen grains may closely resemble Taenia eggs. Careful study of the inner mass reveals its lack of typical features of an oncosphere normally seen in Taenia eggs. Absence of the radial striation is also a good clue.

Plant material
phase contrast x 400

These plant materials can sometimes be confused with parasite elements by inexperienced microscopists.

These could be mistaken for the eggs of taenid species. They are of similar size, but the inner mass lacks the typical features of an oncosphere

15 - Plant material - phase contrast x 400

Pollen grains
Trichrome Stain x 1000

These pollen grains stand out due to their golden colour. They do not pick up the stain.

The striated outer wall may lead to confusion with Taenia eggs, but the small size, uneven thickness of the wall and lack of internal contents do not suggest an egg.

Pollen grains
Tricrhome Stain x 1000

52 - Pollen grains light microscopy x 1000

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