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[Taenia asiatica] [Taenia saginata] [Taenia solium]

The eggs of Taenia spp. are indistinguishable from each other, as well as from other members of the Taeniidae. The eggs measure 30-35 micrometers in diameter and are radially-striated. The internal oncosphere contains six refractile hooks.

A	B

A, B:  Taenia spp. eggs in unstained wet mounts.

C	D

C:  Iodine-stained wet mount of Taenia sp. egg in a formalin-concentrated stool specimen. Image courtesy of the Kansas State Public Health Laboratory.
D:  Iodine-stained wet mount of a Taenia sp. egg. Image courtesy of the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory.

E

E:  Unstained Taenia sp. egg, teased from a proglottid of an adult. Four hooks can easily be seen in this image.