Diphyllobothrium latum: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "==Diagnostic Evaluation==" to "==Evaluation==")
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**20% of cases report diarrhea, abdominal pain or discomfort
**20% of cases report diarrhea, abdominal pain or discomfort
*Rarely, migrating proglottids can cause cholangitis, cholecystitis, or intestinal obstruction
*Rarely, migrating proglottids can cause cholangitis, cholecystitis, or intestinal obstruction
*Competes for absorption of vitamin B12 → can cause pernicious anemia
*Competes for absorption of vitamin B12 → can cause [[pernicious anemia]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Management==
==Management==
*Praziquantel 25mg/kg x1 dose<ref name="Scholz" /> '''OR'''
*[[Praziquantel]] 25mg/kg x1 dose<ref name="Scholz" /> '''OR'''
**Niclosamide 2 grams x1 dose
**Niclosamide 2 grams x1 dose
*Replace vitamin B12 if patient has megaloblastic anemia
*Replace [[vitamin B12]] if patient has megaloblastic anemia


==Disposition==
==Disposition==

Revision as of 23:26, 22 December 2016

Background

  • A type of tapeworm infection
  • D. latum and D. nihonkaiense are most common pathogens[1]
    • 15-45 day latency period
  • Found mostly in cold waters Palaearctic region and North America[1]
    • Generally due to eating raw or undercooked fish.
    • In US, Great Lakes and Alaska are most common locations.
D. latum life cycle (Courtesy of CDC)
D. latum proglottids

Clinical Features

  • Usually asymptomatic or mild GI symptoms[1]
    • 20% of cases report diarrhea, abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Rarely, migrating proglottids can cause cholangitis, cholecystitis, or intestinal obstruction
  • Competes for absorption of vitamin B12 → can cause pernicious anemia

Differential Diagnosis

Helminth infections

Cestodes (Tapeworms)

Trematodes (Flukes)

Nematodes (Roundworms)

Evaluation

  • Stool sample - morphologic identification of eggs[1]
    • Molecular (PCR) diagnosis also possible, but less used

Management

Disposition

  • Discharge

See Also

External Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Scholz T, Garcia HH, Kuchta R, Wicht B. Update on the Human Broad Tapeworm (Genus Diphyllobothrium), Including Clinical Relevance. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2009;22(1):146-160. doi:10.1128/CMR.00033-08.