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Parasites & Vectors May 2022Dipilidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Fleas and, less frequently, lice act as an intermediate host, and their ingestion is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dipilidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Fleas and, less frequently, lice act as an intermediate host, and their ingestion is required for infection to occur. While the disease mainly affects domestic and wild carnivores, it is also considered a zoonotic disease, with most human cases reported in children. Dipylidium caninum is considered to be the most common tapeworm infesting companion animals, but dipilidosis in humans is rare. The aims of this review were to improve current understanding of the epidemiology of this parasitosis and its management by the medical and veterinary community.
METHODS
A comprehensive review of the published literature during the last 21 years (2000-2021) on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention measures of D. caninum infection and dipilidiosis in companion animals and humans was conducted.
RESULTS
Using predefined eligibility criteria for a search of the published literature, we retrieved and screened 280 publications. Of these, 161 (141 epidemiological studies, 20 case reports [16 human cases]) were considered for inclusion in this review. This parasitosis is present worldwide; however, despite being the most frequent cestode infection in animals, it is often underdiagnosed using common coprological techniques. Its diagnosis in humans has also proved challenging, being frequently confused with pinworm infection, leading to inappropriate treatment and to the persistence of the disease over time. Prevention measures include control of ectoparasites in animals and the environment, as well as regular deworming of animals, most commonly with praziquantel.
CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of dipilidiosis remains challenging in both animals and humans, primarily due to the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods currently available and a lack of knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the parasite. Although treatment with the appropriate anti-cestode compounds is well tolerated and results in resolution of the infection, indiscriminate use of these compounds may predispose to an increase in resistance. Given the worldwide distribution of this parasite, it is essential to act on several fronts, with a focus on health education for children and animal owners and the control of intermediate hosts, both in animals and in the surrounding environment.
Topics: Animals; Cestoda; Cestode Infections; Flea Infestations; Humans; Pets; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 35534908
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05243-5 -
The New England Journal of Medicine May 2019
Topics: Animals; Cestoda; Cestode Infections; Child, Preschool; Feces; Female; Humans; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31116922
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1813985 -
BMJ Case Reports Nov 2011Dipylidium caninum is a cestode that requires from the participation of an arthropod in its life cycle. This parasitosis occurs in dogs and cats, and occasionally in...
Dipylidium caninum is a cestode that requires from the participation of an arthropod in its life cycle. This parasitosis occurs in dogs and cats, and occasionally in human beings. Human cases of D caninum infection have been reported in Europe, Philippines, China, Japan, Latin America and the United States; mostly children, one third of them being infants under 6 months old. The diagnosis of this disease is done by the parasitological study of the feces, observing the characteristics of the gravid proglottids. The treatment is performed by administering broad-spectrum anthelmintics. The authors report a case of a rare infection in a Mexican child.
Topics: Animals; Anticestodal Agents; Cestoda; Cestode Infections; Feces; Female; Humans; Infant; Praziquantel
PubMed: 22674592
DOI: 10.1136/bcr.07.2011.4510 -
American Journal of Diseases of... Sep 1968
Topics: Cestode Infections; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Oxyuriasis
PubMed: 5692121
DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1968.02100020330019 -
Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020Dogs are reservoirs of many zoonotic diseases. In Ethiopia, the majority of owned dogs are semi-stray, freely roaming in the community. Studies reporting dog borne...
Dogs are reservoirs of many zoonotic diseases. In Ethiopia, the majority of owned dogs are semi-stray, freely roaming in the community. Studies reporting dog borne zoonotic diseases are scarce in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess infection in dogs and in children with gastrointestinal complaints in Bishoftu Town, Oromia. We collected 384 fecal samples from dogs presented to veterinary teaching hospital and 259 stool samples from children presented to Bishoftu Hospital for clinical examination. Samples were first macroscopically examined for the presence of proglotids, followed by microscopic examination for the presence of eggs with the direct smear following flotation technique. The prevalence of was 21% (95% CI: 16.6-24.9) in dogs. Although not statistically significant ( > 0.05), higher prevalence was detected in adult (11.9%), local breed (17.7%), and male (12.6%) dogs compared to young (8.59%), exotic breed (2.86%), and females (7.81%), respectively. was detected in a stool sample obtained from a three year-old child (0.4%, 1/259). This study showed that the prevalence of in the dogs is high while it is rare in children. Although the prevalence in children is negligible in this study, the high proportion of infected dogs can pose a significant risk of infection in the general human population. Public health risk can be reduced by eliminating the semi-roaming of owned dogs and proper management of dogs with regular deworming and prevention of environmental contamination with dog feces. Similarly, raising public awareness about dog borne zoonoses and avoiding contact with dog feces are important.
PubMed: 33374931
DOI: 10.3390/diseases9010001 -
Genomics May 2021Here, we present a draft genome of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum (family Dipylidiidae) and compare it with other cestode genomes. This draft genome of D. caninum is...
Here, we present a draft genome of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum (family Dipylidiidae) and compare it with other cestode genomes. This draft genome of D. caninum is 110 Mb in size, has a repeat content of ~13.4% and is predicted to encode ~10,000 protein-coding genes. We inferred excretory/secretory molecules (representing the secretome), other key groups of proteins (including peptidases, kinases, phosphatases, GTPases, receptors, transporters and ion-channels) and predicted potential intervention targets for future evaluation. Using 144 shared single-copy orthologous sequences, we investigated the genetic relationships of cestodes for which nuclear genomes are available. This study provides first insights into the molecular biology of D. caninum and a new resource for comparative genomic and genetic explorations of this and other flatworms.
Topics: Animals; Cestoda; Cestode Infections; Genomics; Platyhelminths
PubMed: 33677058
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.02.019 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jul 2019Dipilidium caninum infection is a relatively uncommon parasitic infection in children. We present 10 cases treated in our tertiary care hospital during the last 2 years....
Dipilidium caninum infection is a relatively uncommon parasitic infection in children. We present 10 cases treated in our tertiary care hospital during the last 2 years. This parasitosis has a relatively benign course but should be considered in children with gastrointestinal symptoms and eosinophilia. Treatment can be challenging, especially in infancy. Preventative measures are necessary to avoid the spread of the disease.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Cestoda; Cestode Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Eosinophilia; Female; Helminthiasis; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Praziquantel; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Therapeutics
PubMed: 30408000
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002235 -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2022Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are considered as highly specialized bloodsucking on mammals such as humans, livestock, dog, cat, rabbit, squirrels, rats, and mice. The...
BACKGROUND
Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are considered as highly specialized bloodsucking on mammals such as humans, livestock, dog, cat, rabbit, squirrels, rats, and mice. The desire for blood feeding from warm-blooded animals has led to becoming an intermediate host for some tapeworms like . The aim of this study was to detect larval infection in fleas of dogs living in Mesh-kinshahr County, northwest of Iran.
METHODS
Fleas were collected from 42 dogs using brushing the hair in Meshkinshahr for one year (2014-2015). After the morphological study, fleas were preserved in 90% ethanol for molecular identification. After DNA extraction, the 28S ribosomal RNA gene (∼670 bp) of was amplified using specific primers. Finally, the PCR products were sequenced.
RESULTS
Overs, 974 fleas were collected from the dogs. In the morphological study, three species , and were identified. PCR and sequence analysis results showed that 4 isolates were infected with . Also, no positive specimens were isolated from the other two species.
CONCLUSION
is reported as the most important species of fleas in transferring in that region.
PubMed: 36032739
DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v17i2.9531 -
Case Reports in Pediatrics 2020We report a female toddler who presented repetitively with a chief complaint of motile white worms seen in her diapers. Symptoms of perianal itching and visualization of...
We report a female toddler who presented repetitively with a chief complaint of motile white worms seen in her diapers. Symptoms of perianal itching and visualization of visible motile worms persisted for 6 months despite being treated with multiple courses of albendazole causing a lot of frustration and distress to the caregivers. The characteristics of the worms by inspection along with the presence of 3 pet dogs are consistent with .
PubMed: 32206366
DOI: 10.1155/2020/4716124 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jul 2018Dogs entering shelters can carry gastrointestinal parasites that may pose serious risks to other animals, shelter staff and visitors. Shelters provide an environment... (Review)
Review
Dogs entering shelters can carry gastrointestinal parasites that may pose serious risks to other animals, shelter staff and visitors. Shelters provide an environment that could facilitate the spread of parasitic infections between animals. Nematodes and protozoa that transmit through ingestion or skin penetration are major enteric parasites of concern in shelter settings. spp., , , , and are the major helminths while , , spp. and spp. are the most prevalent protozoan parasites in shelter dogs. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in shelter dogs is typically higher than in owned dogs. A range of cost-effective drugs is available for prevention and control of helminths in shelters, notably fenbendazole, pyrantel, oxantel, and praziquantel. Parasiticide options for protozoan parasites are often cost-prohibitive or limited by a lack of veterinary registration for use in dogs. Environmental control measures reliant upon hygiene and facility management are therefore a mainstay for control and prevention of protozoan parasites in shelters. This philosophy should also extend to helminth control, as integrated parasite control strategies can allow anthelmintics to be used more sparingly and judiciously. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively review the current knowledge on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites most commonly found in dogs in shelters, canvass recommended treatment programs in shelter dogs, and to explore the likelihood that parasiticide resistance might emerge in a shelter environment.
PubMed: 30004469
DOI: 10.3390/ani8070108