Diphyllobothriasis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Jun 10, 2021
  • Author: Shireen R Chacko, MBBS; Chief Editor: Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

In addition to the conditions listed in the differential diagnosis, other problems to be considered include the following:

  • Other infections associated with uncooked fish or aquatic food, such as anisakiasis, capillariasis, paragonimiasis, liver flukes, angiostrongyliasis, and sparganosis [32] (These tend to be more acute and painfully symptomatic diseases.)
  • Vitamin B-12 deficiency due to pernicious anemia, malnutrition, or malabsorption
  • Beef or pork tapeworm, which presents as passage of proglottids

In the case of macrocytic anemia, the following should be considered:

  • Pernicious anemia
  • Bone marrow toxins
  • Dietary restrictions
  • Dietary deficiencies
  • Intestinal malabsorption
  • Exposure to drugs (eg, anticonvulsants)
  • Short gut syndrome

Differential Diagnoses