Intraocular Taenia crassiceps (Cestoda): Part II. The parasite

A cysticercus of Taenia crassiceps (Zeder), with an evaginated scolex on one pole and numerous buds on the other, was removed from the retina of a 17-year-old white female Canadian, 6 March 1972. The cysticercus was 5.8 mm in length and had characteristic rostellar hooks. A strain from this cysticercus is now established in laboratory mice. The patient, who lives in a rural community, apparently was infected by ingesting eggs shed by the family dog. The dog lived in intimate association with the patient, giving ample opportunity for infection to occur. This is the first positive record of this species of cestode from man, and apparently the first natural infection reported from a dog in North America. It is suggested that similar infections may occur in areas with heavy rodent and fox populations and where pet dogs run free.