Beef Tapeworm Life Cycle: Understanding Primary and Intermediate Hosts

Humans are the primary hosts of the beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata). Cattle serve as the intermediate host. Humans become infected by ingesting raw or undercooked beef that contains tapeworm larvae (cysticerci). These larvae develop into adult tapeworms in the human intestine. The adult tapeworms can grow up to 25 feet long and live for several years. They can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and other symptoms.