Microbiology
A cestode aka tapeworm.
Epidemiologic Risks
Found in weasels, minks, and wolverines: "New data implicate mustelids as definitive hosts of these tapeworms in North America. At least 2 parasite genetic lineages circulate in North America, representing separate introductions from Eurasia. (PubMed)."
" ...found in feces of an ermine in Colorado, as mink in Oregon, the deceased index orangutan, and our patient all suggest a single lineage. In the United States, Versteria sp. has also been reported in Wisconsin and Idaho. While both parasite genetic lineages have been found in the Northwest Territories of Canada, circulation of either has not been described anywhere else in the country."
Syndromes
One case of an "invasive, tumor-like hepatic infection with regional and distant extension in a 53-year-old female kidney transplant (PubMed)."
Treatment
The one human case was treated with albendazole (15 mg/kg/ day) and praziquantel (50 mg and /kg/day), perhaps life long if it can't be resected.
Notes
Last Update: 02/24/19.