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Diphyllobothrium Latum
Diphyllobothrium Latum
Diphyllobothrium latum, the fish tapeworm, is the biggest tapeworm in humans. It causes a
parasitic infection called diphyllobothriasis which is acquired by eating raw fish infected with
the parasite. Diphyllobothriasis is found in Chile, Peru, Uganda and in the Northern Hemisphere
(northern Asia, Europe and America) in areas of rivers and lakes. Diphyllobothrium species
include: D. cordatum, D. dalliae, D. dendriticum, D. lanceolatum, D. latum, D. pacificum, D.
ursi and D. yonagoensis. Diphyllobothrium latum is the most common and mostly found in
Scandinavia, the Baltics and western Russia.
The life cycle of Diphyllobothrium latum starts, when immature eggs are passed in the feces of
an infected human. The eggs mature in water within three weeks and form oncospheres. Larvae
called coracidia hatch and get eaten by freshwater crustaceans such as copepod. After ingestion
coracidia develop into procercoid larvae. If the copepod is eaten by a small fish (second
intermediate host) / FW crustacean, the procercoid larvae penetrate the gut and migrate to muscle
tissue where they develop into plerocercoid larvae (sparganum), the infective stage for humans.
Usually a third intermediate host is needed because humans do not usually eat raw fish this
small. If a trout, walleyed pike or perch eats the smaller fish, the plerocercoid larvae once again
penetrate the gut and migrate to fish flesh. If a human eats the infected fish raw or undercooked
the plerocercoid larvae develop into adults in the small intestine. The adults attach to the
intestinal mucosa with two shallow, bilateral grooves (bothria) of their scolex. The scolex is 3
mm long and 1 mm wide. The long, flat body consists of segments, proglottids, that are produced
by the neck. Full grown proglottids are about 10 mm wide and 3 mm long. The segments absorb
nutrients and have their own digestive systems. As proglottids mature, they release eggs and
eventually break off from the body. A Diphyllobothrium latum proglottid is characterized by a
rosette-shaped uterus at its center. The eggs are ellipsoidal or oval measuring 55–75 µm by 40–
50 µm. They are passed in the feces unembryonated (immature). From the start of the infection it
takes about six weeks for the eggs to appear in the feces. One adult tapeworm can shed up to a
million eggs per day. It can grow over 10 meters long and live up to 20 years.
People who eat raw fish are at risk of getting infected with the larvae that are sometimes present
in the fish flesh. Some fishermen eat their catches raw using salt to kill parasites. Salting the fish
is usually not enough to kill larval Diphyllobothrium latum. Some housewives taste fish as they
are preparing it and might ingest the tiny larva. Women get infected more often than men
because they usually prepare meals for the family. Raw fish is included in many regional
cuisines, for example, carpaccio di persico (Italy), ceviche (Latin America), marinated herring
(Scandinavia), sashimi and sushi (Japan) and tartare maison in (France).
constipation
diarrhea
fatigue
obstruction of the bowel
pernicious anemia (caused by vitamin B12 deficiency) which can lead to
subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord
stomach pain
vomiting
weight loss.
Migrating proglottids can cause inflammation of the bile duct or the gall bladder.
To prevent infection:
Cook fish properly. If you eat sashimi or sushi, freeze it first at -10 °C (or below) for two
days to kill the tapeworm larvae.
Do not defecate in water. If the fish tapeworm larvae cannot get in touch with the
intermediate hosts, they cannot infect humans.
Enlighten people through health education about the parasite’s mode of transmission
Treatment of the sick individuals to reduce the eggs in circulation
Observe hygiene by proper disposal of feaces.