Dipylidiasis

Abstract

Dipylidium caninum is a common tapeworm of dogs and cats, and occasionally found in humans especially in children. The disease dipylidiosis is associated with close contact with pets and children get the infection by ingesting dog or cat fleas infected with D. caninum. The infection is diagnosed by identifying the proglottids or eggs in stool samples by microscopy. Infection in humans is self-limiting and resolves spontaneously in about 6 weeks. Praziquantel and niclosamide are frequently used drugs for the treatment of dipylidiosis. Stringent adherence to controlling fleas and lice is required to protect D. caninum infection in dogs and cats.

Case Study

A 4-year-old male child was brought to the OPD by the mother with a complaint of passing rice grains structures in the stool for about 6 months. The child was prescribed one dose of deworming agent albendazole along with some antihistamine. Despite the treatment, the child did not respond completely and again referred to the OPD. A stool sample was collected for microscopy. Macroscopic examination of the stool sample showed small ivory-shaded structures like cucumber seeds or rice grains. Each structure was 0.5–1.0 cm long and 0.1–0.2 cm thick. The proglottid sections were prepared through paraffin implant and stained with haematoxylin-eosin. They showed inward compartmentalization of eggs in bundles.

• 1. What would be the final diagnosis of this patient?

• 2. What other relevant history need to be elicited from the patient’s mother?

• 3. What advice should be given to parents to prevent the infection in children?

Research Questions

• 1. What antigens can be used to develop an immunodiagnostic test?

• 2. How best to control the flea population in pets to prevent human infection?

• 3. What is the true burden of infection in the animal population in a community?