Hymenolepis nana - Revision history

Aidan at 16:31, 11 February 2026

2026-02-11T16:31:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 11 February 2026
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	== Background ==		== Background ==

	* ~~Cestode~~ within the genus [[Genus::Hymenolepis]] known as the dwarf tapeworm, closely related to [[Hymenolepis diminuta]], the rate tapeworm		* Cyclophyllidean cestode within the genus [[Genus::Hymenolepis]] known as the dwarf tapeworm, closely related to [[Hymenolepis diminuta]], the rate tapeworm

	=== Life Cycle ===		=== Life Cycle ===
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	* Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids		* Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids
	* The intermediate host with cysticercoids gets eaten by a rat (or a human), where it develops into an adult worm in the small intestine		* The intermediate host with cysticercoids gets eaten by a rat (or a human), where it develops into an adult worm in the small intestine
	* If eggs are directly ingested by a human (from contaminated food or water or hands), the oncospheres contained in the eggs can hatch and develop into cysticercoid larvae within the human before developing into the adult worm		* However, if eggs are directly ingested by a human (from contaminated food or water or hands), the oncospheres contained in the eggs can hatch and develop into cysticercoid larvae within the human before developing into the adult worm
			* Can cause internal autoinfection in the host

	=== Epidemiology ===		=== Epidemiology ===

	* Distributed worldwide		* Distributed worldwide, and likely to most common tapeworm worldwide
	* Acquired by exposure to contaminated food or water		* Acquired by exposure to contaminated food or water
			* Can be spread person-to-person, with the human acting as intermediate and definitive host
	* More common in children and institutionalized adults and in areas with poor sanitation		* More common in children and institutionalized adults and in areas with poor sanitation
			* Highly endemic areas include Asia, southern and eastern Europe, Central and South America, and Africa
			* In North America, most cases are travel-related

	== Clinical Manifestations ==		== Clinical Manifestations ==

	* Infections are mostly asymptomatic		* Infections are mostly asymptomatic
			* Typical symptoms would be mild abdominal discomfort
	* Heavy burden of infection can cause anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, and headaches		* Heavy burden of infection (mostly in children) can cause anorexia, abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea, weakness, and headaches or dizziness
	* Dwarf tapeworms can grow 15 to 40 mm in length (compared to 20 to 60 cm for the rat tapeworm)		* Dwarf tapeworms can grow 15 to 40 mm in length (compared to 20 to 60 cm for the rat tapeworm)

	== Diagnosis ==		== Diagnosis ==

	* Diagnosis is made by detecting eggs in stool		* Diagnosis is made by detecting eggs in stool (30x47 µm eggs with characteristic double membrane)

	== Management ==		== Management ==

Aidan at 16:26, 11 February 2026

2026-02-11T16:26:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:26, 11 February 2026
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	* Eggs are passed in stool, and cannot survive more than 10 days in the environment		* Eggs are passed in stool, and cannot survive more than 10 days in the environment
	* Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids		* Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids
	* The intermediate host with cysticercoids gets eaten by a rat or a human, where it develops into an adult worm in the small intestine		* The intermediate host with cysticercoids gets eaten by a rat (or a human), where it develops into an adult worm in the small intestine
	* If eggs are directly ingested by a human (from contaminated food or water or hands), the oncospheres contained in the eggs can hatch and develop into cysticercoid larvae within the human before developing into the adult worm		* If eggs are directly ingested by a human (from contaminated food or water or hands), the oncospheres contained in the eggs can hatch and develop into cysticercoid larvae within the human before developing into the adult worm

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	* Distributed worldwide		* Distributed worldwide
			* Acquired by exposure to contaminated food or water
	* More common in children and institutionalized adults		* More common in children and institutionalized adults and in areas with poor sanitation

	== Clinical Manifestations ==		== Clinical Manifestations ==
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	* Heavy burden of infection can cause anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, and headaches		* Heavy burden of infection can cause anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, and headaches
	* Dwarf tapeworms can grow 15 to 40 mm in length (compared to 20 to 60 cm for the rat tapeworm)		* Dwarf tapeworms can grow 15 to 40 mm in length (compared to 20 to 60 cm for the rat tapeworm)

			== Diagnosis ==

			* Diagnosis is made by detecting eggs in stool

			== Management ==

			* First-line: [[praziquantel]] 25 mg/kg p.o. once
			* Second-line:
			** [[Niclosamide]] 2 g p.o. daily for 7 days
			** [[Nitazoxanide]] 500 mg p.o. twice daily for 3 days

	[[Category:Cestodes]]		[[Category:Cestodes]]

Aidan: Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Hymenolepis nana''}} == Background == * Cestode within the genus Genus::Hymenolepis known as the dwarf tapeworm, closely related to Hymenolepis diminuta, the rate tapeworm === Life Cycle === * Eggs are passed in stool, and cannot survive more than 10 days in the environment * Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids * The intermediate host with cystice..."

2026-02-11T16:22:50Z

Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Hymenolepis nana''}} == Background == * Cestode within the genus Genus::Hymenolepis known as the dwarf tapeworm, closely related to Hymenolepis diminuta, the rate tapeworm === Life Cycle === * Eggs are passed in stool, and cannot survive more than 10 days in the environment * Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids * The intermediate host with cystice..."

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Hymenolepis nana''}}

== Background ==

* Cestode within the genus [[Genus::Hymenolepis]] known as the dwarf tapeworm, closely related to [[Hymenolepis diminuta]], the rate tapeworm

=== Life Cycle ===

* Eggs are passed in stool, and cannot survive more than 10 days in the environment
* Eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically insects including beetles and fleas, where the eggs develops into cysticercoids
* The intermediate host with cysticercoids gets eaten by a rat or a human, where it develops into an adult worm in the small intestine
* If eggs are directly ingested by a human (from contaminated food or water or hands), the oncospheres contained in the eggs can hatch and develop into cysticercoid larvae within the human before developing into the adult worm

=== Epidemiology ===

* Distributed worldwide
* More common in children and institutionalized adults

== Clinical Manifestations ==

* Infections are mostly asymptomatic
* Heavy burden of infection can cause anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, and headaches
* Dwarf tapeworms can grow 15 to 40 mm in length (compared to 20 to 60 cm for the rat tapeworm)

[[Category:Cestodes]]