What causes liver tapeworm cysts?
• This condition is caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Taenia hydatigena. • Lifecycle: The tapeworm needs two hosts: a carnivore (e.g., wolf or dog) and an herbivore (e.g., caribou). The adult tapeworm grows and lays eggs in the intestines of the carnivore. Eggs come out in the carnivore’s droppings and contaminate plants that are eaten by the herbivore. The eggs hatch into larvae that travel to the herbivore’s liver where they form cysts. Carnivores become infected when they eat liver containing cysts.
