Microbiology
Cestode, a fish tapeworm. D. cordatum, D. dalliae, D. dendriticum, D. lanceolatum, D. latum, D. nihonkaiense=D. klebanovskii (most common human pathogen in Japan (PubMed)), D. pacificum, D. ursi, D. yonagoensis, Diphyllobothrium elegans, Diphyllobothrium latum.
Epidemiologic Risks
Eating undercooked or uncooked freshwater fish, including salmon (Diphyllobothrium dendriticum). Gotta love that sushi. Generally a disease of the N. hemisphere.
In Japan, it is from eating cherry salmon and immature chum salmon.
Syndromes
Usually, without symptoms; some have weakness, salt craving, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Prolonged or heavy D. latum infection may lead to megaloblastic anemia due to B12 deficiency.
It can live up to 20 years in the colon, draining your resources and not paying rent. Just like children Or am I oversharing?
Treatment
Niclosamide 2 g po x 1 or praziquantel 5 - 10 mg/kg po x 1.
Notes
20 million people worldwide have fish tapeworms and the US case was described in Minnesota in 1906 (PubMed), oh ya sure don't cha know.
Diphyllobothrium spp. have been found in 10,000-year-old human remains on the western coast of South America.
Remember ceviche is NOT cooked.
Last update: 08/12/18