TAENIA ANTIGENS FOR USE AS IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC REAGENTS FOR BOVINE OR SWINE CYSTICERCOSIS

The invention is a method to detect the presence of tapeworms in pork and beef muscle tissue, which can have adverse health affects in humans. Antigens derived from the parasite Taenia crassiceps, commonly found in rodents, have been isolated and are specific and sensitive in their reactions with antibodies against Taenia saginata, a parasite found in beef, and Taenia solium, a parasite found in pork. The antigens of the invention could be used to develop diagnostic tests for the serological screening of livestock for tapeworms, rather than relying upon methods involving dissection and visual examination. The invention is a rapid test that can be conducted at the slaughter house.

Please refer to Patent Number 5,874,251, which issued February 23, 1999.