Microbiology
A cestode (parasite), Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta: the dwarf tapeworm. Spread human to human. World wide in distribution. Look for eggs in the stool.
Epidemiologic Risks
H. nana: human to human (fecal-oral).
H. diminuta is acquired by eating flour or grain beetles, the intermediate host. Mostly a rat pathogen.
Syndromes
Mild abdominal discomfort.
Treatment
Praziquantel given once, 25mg/kg.
Nitazoxanide 500 mg for 3 days.
Niclosamide 2 grams day one followed by 1 gm six days later.
Notes
And there is this really creepy case where their tapeworm underwent malignant transformation and became a tapeworm tumor. EEEUUUUWWWW (PubMed).
Last update: 05/05/18