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Diphyllobothrium Latum. Karla Bennett May 2012. General Information. It is known as the “fish tapeworm” Diphyllobothrium latum is a cestode (a hermaphrodiditic worm that is a parasite of the vertebrate intestinal tract). Terminology.
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DiphyllobothriumLatum Karla Bennett May 2012
General Information • It is known as the “fish tapeworm” • Diphyllobothriumlatum is a cestode (a hermaphrodiditic worm that is a parasite of the vertebrate intestinal tract).
Terminology • Plerocercoid-the larval form. Also the infective stage found in the raw flesh of freshwater fishes. • D. latum- the adult worm • Proglottids- the segments of the flat worm. Each contains both male and female reproductive organs • Scolex- the part on the anterior end that is long and spoon-shaped. It is what the worm uses to attach itself to the intestinal tract.
History of Diphyllobothriasis • Its distribution is worldwide • It occurs where pickled or insufficiently cooked fish are part of the cultural diet. (Northern temperate areas)
Hosts and Intermediates • Intermediates: Freshwater fish and copepods • Definitive host: Humans and other vertebrates.
Symptoms • constipation • diarrhea • fatigue • obstruction of the bowel • pernicious anemia (caused by vitamin B12 deficiency) which can lead to subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord • stomach pain • vomiting • weight loss.
Diagnosis and Treatment • Examination of a fecal sample for eggs and proglottoids is the quickest way to diagnose Diphyllobothriasis. • All diphyllobothrium species respond to the same treatment. • The best method is a diatrizoic acid injection into the duodenal wall. • Praziquantel or niclosamide are not as effective because they do not remove the attached head from the intestine wall.
Prevention • Cook fish properly. If you eat sashimi or sushi, freeze it first at -10 °C (or below) for two days to kill the tapeworm larvae. • Do not defecate in water. If the fish tapeworm larvae cannot get in touch with the intermediate hosts, they cannot infect humans.
Citation • http://www.parasitesinhumans.org/diphyllobothrium-latum-fish-tapeworm.html • http://www.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2005/Diphyllobothriasis/New%20Folder/index.htm • http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/Frames/A-F/Diphyllobothriasis/body_Diphyllobothriasis_mic1.htm • http://www.human-healths.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Diphyllobothrium2.gif • http://www.kmle.co.kr/search.php?Search=latum • http://www.ifood.tv/network/pickled_herring • http://www.realmonstrosities.com/2011/02/copepod.html
TRIVIA! • Name 3 symptoms of Diphyllobothriasis. • What is the name of the best drug for treatment and why is it better than the others? • Name the two intermediate hosts in the lifecycle. • What is the name of the anatomical body part of the parasite that it uses to attach itself to the intestine? • Why does the entire adult worm need to be removed?