Diphyllobothrium Latum Infection Follow-up

  • Author: Robert W Tolan Jr, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 9, 2012
 

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Niclosamide or praziquantel is indicated for Diphyllobothrium latum infection.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Cooking fish to a temperature of 56°C or higher for longer than 5 minutes or freezing fish to -18°C for 24 hours kills the plerocercoid larvae. This can also be achieved by pickling in brine under very rigorous conditions.

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Complications

  • Megaloblastic anemia is well described, although very unusual.
  • GI obstruction is rare but may occur, especially when numerous worms are present.
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Prognosis

Outcomes with single-dose therapy are excellent, although retreatment is occasionally needed.

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Patient Education

Educating people about the effective ways of making freshwater fish safe for consumption as outlined in Deterrence/Prevention is imperative. Remind people who prepare fish not to sample it until it is properly prepared.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Coauthor(s)

Alia Rai, MD  Adolescent Medicine Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University

Alia Rai, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and Society for Adolescent Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Martin Weisse, MD  Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University

Martin Weisse, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ashir Kumar, MD, MBBS, FAAP  Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Ashir Kumar, MD, MBBS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Martin Weisse, MD  Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University

Martin Weisse, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP  Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine

Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Life cycle of Diphyllobothrium.
Microscopy. Egg of Diphyllobothrium latum with arrow pointing to operculum.
Microscopy. Proglottids of Diphyllobothrium latum.
 
 
 
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