The survival of parasite eggs throughout the soil profile

Abstract

SUMMARYAn experiment using lysimeters suggested that the eggs ofTaenia saginataandAscaris lumbricoidessurvive for only a short time when applied to pasture in sewage sludge. However, a subsequent experiment which followed the survival of eggs throughout the soil profile demonstrated that someT. saginataeggs could still be found at 200 days on the soil surface, and that survival increased down the profile. Rainfall is shown to be able to wash eggs into the soil where they may be afforded protection from radiation and desiccation; this may have little epidemiological significance.