Human infection with the beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata, usually is less serious than infection with the pork tapeworm, T. solium, because

Both beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) and pork tapeworm (T. solium) can, in the adult form, cause disturbances of intestinal function. Intestinal disorder is due not only to direct irritation but also to the action of metabolic toxic wastes. In addition, T. saginata, because of its large size, may produce acute intestinal blockage. Unlike T. saginata, T. solium produces cysticercosis, which results in serious lesions in humans (in T. saginata, the cysticercus-encysted larvae stage-develops only in cattle).