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Diphyllobothriasis
Disease definition
Bothriocephalosis is a mammalian cosmopolitan intestinal parasitosis. In addition to non-specific digestive problems (nausea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite), bothriocephalosis provokes an anaemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency that resembles Biermer anaemia (anaemia characterised by abnormally large red blood cells).
ORPHA:128
- Synonym(s):
- Bothriocephalosis
- Prevalence: <1 / 1 000 000
- Inheritance: Not applicable
- Age of onset: All ages
- ICD-10: B70.0
- OMIM: -
- UMLS: C0012561 C0277032
- MeSH: -
- GARD: 942
- MedDRA: 10013029
Summary
Epidemiology
The prevalence is Europe is unknown but more than 10 cases are reported each year, principally from the Italian, Swiss and French Alps.
Etiology
It is an adult cestodosis caused by the large (more than 10 metres) fish tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum. The life cycle of the parasite is complex and involves two intermediate hosts: a microscopic crustacean, followed by a freshwater fish. Mammals are contaminated through eating fleshy parts of lightly cooked, smoked or undersalted fish.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis is made by examination of the stools.
Management and treatment
Standard tapeworm treatments (niclosamide or praziquantel) are effective at treating this parasitosis.
Additional information