Korean J Parasitol.  2017 Feb;55(1):61-64. 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.1.61.

A Human Case of Zoonotic Dog Tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum (Eucestoda: Dilepidiidae), in China

• Jiang P
• Zhang X
• Liu RD
• Wang ZQ
• Cui J

• KMID: 2374804
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.1.61

Abstract

We described a human case of zoonotic dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum (Eucestoda: Dilepidiidae), rarely occurring in China. The mother of a 17 month-old boy noted the appearance of small white and active worms over a month period in her son's feces, but the boy was asymptomatic except mild diarrhea. We observed 3 tapeworm proglottids resembling cucumber seeds in his stool sample. Microscopically, each proglottid had 2 genital pores, 1 on each lateral edge, and numerous egg capsules in the uterus. The patient was successfully treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel. Adult worms were recovered in the diarrheic stool after praziquantel treatment and purgation. His family had household pet dogs for several years, and he might have acquired the infection by ingestion of infected fleas of his pet dogs. A history of dog or cat pets and flea bites may be important clues to diagnosis of D. caninum infection. The infected pets should also be treated.

Keyword

Dipylidium caninum; dipylidiasis; human case; China

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Capsules
Cats
Cestoda*
Cestode Infections
China*
Diagnosis
Diarrhea
Dogs*
Eating
Family Characteristics
Feces
Humans*
Male
Mothers
Ovum
Praziquantel
Siphonaptera
Uterus
Capsules
Praziquantel