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Understanding Diphyllobothrium Latum Infection

Diphyllobothriasis is an intestinal infection caused by the fish tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum, which is the largest known human intestinal parasite. Humans are the definitive hosts, and infection occurs through the ingestion of undercooked fish containing plerocercoid larvae, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency and potential megaloblastic anemia. Diagnosis is made through stool examination and blood tests, with treatment primarily involving praziquantel and vitamin B12 supplementation.

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35 views12 pages

Understanding Diphyllobothrium Latum Infection

Diphyllobothriasis is an intestinal infection caused by the fish tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum, which is the largest known human intestinal parasite. Humans are the definitive hosts, and infection occurs through the ingestion of undercooked fish containing plerocercoid larvae, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency and potential megaloblastic anemia. Diagnosis is made through stool examination and blood tests, with treatment primarily involving praziquantel and vitamin B12 supplementation.

Uploaded by

Ash A
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DIPHYLLOBOTHRIUM LATUM

JOEL C JOHNSON
159
Introduction

• Diphyllobothriasis is an intestinal parasitic


infection caused by a cestode Diphyllobothrium
latum, also known as fish tapeworm.
• It is the largest known parasite in the human
intestine.

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Morphology

• D. latum has three morphological forms:


adult worm, egg and larvae.
• It occurs in 3 stages: coracidium (L1),
precercoid larva (L2) , plerocercoid larva
(L3).
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Host

• Humans are the definitive host.


• There are two intermediate hosts ; first
(cyclops) and second (fish).

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Life cycle

• Humans get the infection by ingestion of under cooked fish containing L3


plerocercoid larva.
• Human GIT: plerocercoid larvae inside the human intestine transform into
adult worms which fertilize and produce eggs that are excreted in feces.
• In water, eggs transform into L1 larva which infects cyclops.

• In Cyclops, L1 larvae develops into L2 procercoid larvae which infects fish.

• In fish, L2 larvae develops to form L3 plerocercoid larvae.

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Clinical features

• The adult worm causes dissociation of the vitamin B12-


intrinsic factor complex within the gut lumen, which leads to
decrease in absorption of Vitamin B12 at ileum.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to development of megaloblastic


anemia.

• Apart from this, minor manifestations like Abdominal


discomfort, diarrhoea, vomiting may be seen.
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Epidemiology

• D.latum is very rare in India. Only three


cases have been reported so far.

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Laboratory diagnosis

• Stool examination reveals characteristic operculated eggs


with a knob at the other end.
• Eggs are bile-stained; do not float in saturated salt solution.

• Sometimes segments of adult worms are also seen.

• Blood examination reveals eosinophilia and evidence of


megaloblastic anemia.

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Treatment

• Praziquintel is the treatment of choice.


• Niclosamide is given alternatively.
• Vitamin B12 supplements need to be given.

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Prevention

• Preventive measures includes thorough


cooking of fish or deep freezing.

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