Cestode Zoonoses - DIPYLIDIASIS

AGENT:

Dipylidium caninum - common intestinal cestode of dogs. Gravid proglottids are "pumpkinseed" shaped.

RESERVOIRS AND INCIDENCE:

Dogs, cats, and their wild counterparts. Arthropods serve as intermediate hosts. These include the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis), the cat flea (C. felis), and dog louse (Trichodectes canis). Cosmopolitan including the U.S.

TRANSMISSION:

Humans, dogs, and cats are infected by ingestion of arthropod intermediate hosts which harbor the cysticercoid larvae.

DISEASE IN ANIMALS:

Usually no severe pathology. Possibly mild digestive problems or perianal pruritus.

DISEASE IN MAN:

Slight symptoms, if any. Mild weight loss, perianal itching, diarrhea, vague abdominal pain.

DIAGNOSIS:

Recovery of gravid proglottids that are passed in the feces or that crawl out of the anus.

TREATMENT:

Niclosamide or praziquantel.

PREVENTION/CONTROL:

Screen animals. Treat infected animals. Eliminate ectoparasites. Teach proper handling of pets to children.

DIPYLIDIUM LIFE CYCLE:

• Bertielliasis
• Dipylidiasis
• Diphyllobothriasis
• Echinococcosis
• Hymenolepis diminuta
• Hymenolepis nana
• Sparganosis