eMedicine Specialties > Infectious Diseases > Parasitic Infections

Dipylidiasis

Author: Venkat R Minnaganti, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital; Clinical Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 24, 2008

Introduction

Background

Dipylidiasis is a common tapeworm infection of dogs and cats caused by Dipylidium caninum. Linnaeus first described dipylidiasis in humans in 1758.

Dipylidiasis has a worldwide distribution. Humans become infected by accidental ingestion of dog or cat fleas that contain D caninum cysticercoids (larva). The risk of infection in humans is low.

Pathophysiology

Dipylidiasis in humans occurs through accidental ingestion of the dog or cat flea or the dog louse infected with cysticercoids (the larval form of D caninum). These fleas and lice are the intermediate host for D caninum.

Cysticercoids develop into adult worms in the small intestine of the host in about 20 days. The adult worm may attain a length of 10-70 cm and is 2-3 mm in diameter. The worms have a lifespan of less than 1 year.

Pathological changes due to dipylidiasis have not been described.

Frequency

United States

A few cases of dipylidiasis have been reported in the United States, but the exact incidence is not known.

International

Dipylidiasis is distributed worldwide, and human infection has been reported in Africa, Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, Europe, Guatemala, India, Japan, and the Philippines.

Race

Dipylidiasis does not appear to have a racial predilection.

Sex

Males and females are equally susceptible to dipylidiasis.

Age

Dipylidiasis is most common in infants and in children younger than 8 years. Dipylidiasis has been reported in a 5-week-old infant.1

Clinical

History

Dipylidiasis is transmitted by accidental ingestion of a dog or cat flea that contains D caninum cysticercoids. The adult tapeworm develops in about 20 days; however, since most infections are asymptomatic, the time to development of symptoms in some patients is unknown. Symptoms of dipylidiasis are related to the worm burden.

  • Most infections are asymptomatic, although some children with dipylidiasis may have intestinal disturbances.
  • Abdominal pain with or without diarrhea may be a presenting symptom.
  • Loss of appetite may be another presenting symptom.
  • Allergic manifestations (eg, pruritus, rash) may occur.
  • Increased irritability may be a presenting symptom.
  • Intestinal obstruction is a rare complication of dipylidiasis.

Physical

  • Physical examination findings in patients with dipylidiasis may be unremarkable.
  • Proglottids of D caninum adherent to perianal hair may be observed as a whitish yellow object.

Causes

  • Dipylidiasis is caused by infection with D caninum. Children who are regularly in contact with dogs are at an increased risk of infection.

More on Dipylidiasis

Overview: Dipylidiasis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dipylidiasis
Treatment & Medication: Dipylidiasis
Follow-up: Dipylidiasis
Multimedia: Dipylidiasis
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

dipylidiasis, dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum, D caninum, dog flea, cat flea, cysticercoids

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Venkat R Minnaganti, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital; Clinical Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook
Venkat R Minnaganti, MD is a member of the following medical societies: All India Ophthalmological Society, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MD, Director of Infectious Disease Fellowship, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Harper Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine
Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Thomas M Kerkering, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Tech, Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia
Thomas M Kerkering, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Society of Virginia, and Wilderness Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD, Professor, Stewart G Wolf Chair in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
Michael Stuart Bronze, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Association of Professors of Medicine, Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Oklahoma State Medical Association, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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