Dipyldiosis
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Dipylidiosis is a rare anthropozoonotic disease caused by dipylidium, a helminth of the cestode class. In connection with the similarity of the segments of the parasite with the seeds of a cucumber, the helminth was named "cucumber tapeworm" ("borage"). The disease is characterized by dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and the development of toxic-allergic reactions. Mostly children of preschool age are ill.
Transmission of dipylidiosis
Causes and risk factors
The causative agent of the disease, Dipylidium caninum, belongs to the class of tapeworms. Its life cycle is characterized by a change of hosts and the absence of free-living stages. A sexually mature individual parasitizes in the small intestine of the definitive (final) host, while the larval stages of growth take place in the body of intermediate hosts.
The ribbon-like body of the helminth is segmented into proglottids (segments) and reaches a length of up to 70 cm with a maximum width of 3 mm. At the front end is the so-called scolex, which contains 4 rows of hooks that fix the body of the parasite in the lumen of the small intestine of the final host. The reproductive system of the cestode is of the hermaphroditic type. As the worm grows, the neck forms body segments (strobila), while mature proglottids are lacerated and, together with feces, are excreted into the external environment. Each mature segment is a mobile capsule up to 0.03 mm in diameter, containing from 8 to 20 eggs.
The causative agent of dipylidiosis is the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum
Proglottids and eggs are swallowed by flea and lice larvae. As the intermediate host grows, the larvae of dipylidium mature to the invasive stage - cysticercoid. Animals become infected when they eat adult fleas and lice. Once in the small intestine of the definitive host, the cysticercoid discards its tail, attaches itself to the intestinal mucosa with hooks and matures to a sexually mature individual within 24 days.
People rarely become infected, mainly when personal hygiene rules are not followed in close contact with animals. Infection is carried out by accidental ingestion of contaminated (infected) fleas and lice.
The pathogenesis of the disease is based on the mechanical effect of helminths on the intestinal mucosa. An infectious and inflammatory process develops, the secretory-motor function of the intestine is disrupted. Over time, desquamation and villous atrophy occur in the jejunum. With massive invasion, mechanical obstruction of the intestinal lumen occurs, up to complete obstruction, which leads to secondary toxicosis.
Due to impaired absorption of food in the small intestine, hypochromic anemia develops.
Symptoms
In the presence of single individuals in the intestinal lumen, the disease is asymptomatic. The clinical picture becomes pronounced in the case of mass seeding.
The main symptoms are:
- perianal itching;
- hypersalivation;
- dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain, aggravated by palpation);
- increased nervous irritability;
- anorexia, weight loss, up to cachexia;
- hypochromic anemia (weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, pallor of the skin and visible mucous membranes).
Perianal pruritus is the main symptom of dipylidiosis
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on history and laboratory findings.
Laboratory tests include:
- general blood analysis;
- general urine analysis;
- biochemical blood tests (for direct and total bilirubin, transaminases - ALT, AST, total protein and its fractions);
- study of feces according to the Fülleborn method (detection of segments in the patient's feces). Due to the cyclical nature of cestodes, feces are examined several times to exclude a false negative result.
Treatment
Anthelmintic drugs are prescribed as etiotropic treatment.
Symptomatic therapy is also carried out, including the intake of antispasmodics, proton pump blockers, enzymes, iron preparations (in the case of hypochromic anemia), vitamins.
For the treatment of dipylidiosis, anthelmintic and symptomatic therapy is indicated.
Possible complications and consequences
With delayed treatment or inadequate therapy, dipylidiosis can be complicated by a number of chronic diseases:
- gastroduodenitis;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis;
- enteritis;
- colitis.
Forecast
In case of timely treatment for medical care, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
In order to prevent dipylidiosis, it is necessary:
- to carry out the prevention of helminthiasis in pets;
- kill fleas;
- observe general hygiene rules.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
