Diphyllobothrium
Diphyllobothrium
Diphyllobothrium (pronounced: di-fil-o-both-rium) is a genus of tapeworms which can cause a type of fish tapeworm infection in humans and other animals. The term is derived from the Greek words "diphyllon" meaning "double leaf" and "bothrion" meaning "small pit".
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Diphyllobothrium involves several stages. The adult tapeworm resides in the small intestine of the definitive host, which can be a mammal, including humans. The eggs are then passed in the feces and, if they reach fresh water, they hatch into free-swimming larvae called coracidia. These are ingested by a suitable crustacean intermediate host, in which they develop into a second larval stage, the procercoid. When the crustacean is eaten by a fish, the procercoid develops into a plerocercoid. This is the infective stage for the definitive host.
Symptoms
Infection with Diphyllobothrium can be asymptomatic, or it can cause a range of symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. In severe cases, it can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia.
Treatment
Treatment for Diphyllobothrium infection typically involves the administration of anthelmintic drugs, such as praziquantel or niclosamide.
Prevention
Prevention of Diphyllobothrium infection involves avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked fish from areas known to harbor these parasites.
See Also
References
External Links
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Diphyllobothrium
- Wikipedia's article - Diphyllobothrium
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