Cysticercus bovis infection in slaughtered cattle in Mashhad abattoir

Cysticercus bovis, the larval stage of the beef tapeworm Taenia saginata, occurs mainly in young calves via ingestion of the worms’ eggs excreted in the feces of infected persons. The most heavily infected muscles include heart, masseters, shoulder, and tongue. In February 2021, during abattoir meat inspection at Mashhad abattoir, Cysticercus bovis cysts ranging from 0.5 to 1 cm were detected in striated muscles of 22 / 33 (66.66%) of Holstein bulls of 1-2 years old originating from one farm that located in Qom province. This is the first report of bovine cysticercosis in slaughtered cattle in Mashhad abattoir. However, this case report shows zoonotic importance of C.bovis infection and meat inspection, improving personal and environmental hygiene are the most important measures to decrease bovine cysticercosis.