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Tapeworm infection - Hymenolepsis
Hymenolepiasis; Dwarf tapeworm infection; Rat tapeworm; Tapeworm - infection
Hymenolepsis infection is an infestation by 1 of 2 species of tapeworm: Hymenolepis nana or Hymenolepis diminuta . The disease is also called hymenolepiasis.
Causes
Hymenolepis live in warm climates and are common in the southern United States. Insects eat the eggs of these worms.
Humans and other animals become infected when they eat material contaminated by insects (including fleas associated with rats). In an infected person, it is possible for the worm's entire life cycle to be completed in the bowel, so infection can last for years.
Hymenolepis nana infections are much more common than Hymenolepis diminuta infections in humans. These infections used to be common in the southeastern United States, in crowded environments, and in people who were confined to institutions. However, the disease occurs throughout the world.
Symptoms
Symptoms occur only with heavy infections. Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Itchy anus
- Poor appetite
- Weakness
Exams and Tests
A stool exam for the tapeworm eggs confirms the diagnosis.
Stool exam
Stool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...
Treatment
The treatment for this condition is a single dose of praziquantel, repeated in 10 days.
Household members may also need to be screened and treated because the infection can be spread from person to person.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Expect full recovery following treatment.
Possible Complications
Health problems that may result from this infection include:
- Abdominal discomfort
-
Dehydration
from prolonged diarrhea
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have chronic diarrhea or abdominal cramping.
Prevention
Good hygiene, public health and sanitation programs, and elimination of rats help prevent the spread of hymenolepiasis.
References
Fischer PR, White AC. Adult tapeworm infections. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW III, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 302.
Mega JD, Galdos-Cardenas G, Gilman RH. Tapeworm infections. In: Magill AJ, Hill DR, Solomon T, Ryan ET, eds. Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 126.
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Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Review Date: 9/10/2015
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
