The prevalence of cysticerci of Taenia saginata in cattle reared on sewage-irrigated pasture.

The hearts, masseter muscles, tongues and laryngeal muscles from 200 cattle aged 10 to 11 months, and 100 cattle aged 20 to 21 months, which had been reared on sewage-irrigated pastures at the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Farm, Werribee, Victoria, were examined for infection with cysticerci of Taenia saginata by slicing in the laboratory and the result obtained were compared with those recorded during normal meat inspection procedures at the abattoir. Of the 10 to 11-month-old cattle 51-5% were found to be infected and 8% of the total animals harboured viable cysticerci. Of the 20 to 21-month-old animals 33% were infected, and, even at this age, 8% of the animals still carried viable cysticerci. On-line meat inspection at the abattoir detected significantly fewer infections than did laboratory slicing.