Dipylidiasis
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| B71.1 | Dipylidiosis |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
Dipylidiasis or Dipylidiose is a disease characterized by the Dipylidium caninum ( Dipylidium caninum ) of the dog is caused. It can be transmitted to humans and is therefore a zoonosis .
Development cycle
The normal final host of this tapeworm is the dog, in which it is the most common tapeworm and occurs worldwide. Occasionally this tapeworm also occurs in cats. Intermediate hosts are fleas or hair lice ( Trichodectes ). The worm eggs are ingested by the flea larvae and develop into cysticercoids in them . By eating the fleas, these tapeworm stages get into the dog's intestines and develop into an adult tapeworm in 20 days. This is 10–70 cm long and 2–3 mm wide. When the fleas move to other dogs (or cats), it spreads further in the population .
Disease in humans
Occasionally, diseases have been described in humans, the cause of which is usually accidental ingestion of fleas through the mouth. The disease occurs mainly in children under the age of 8.
The disease usually remains asymptomatic, occasionally digestive tract disorders (abdominal pain with or without diarrhea, loss of appetite). Also, allergic reactions with itching were observed. Very rarely, only in the case of massive infestation, blockages caused by tapeworms occur.
The diagnosis is made by detecting tapeworm eggs in the stool. Tapeworm limbs similar to rice grains can also appear in the stool. Treatment can be with antihelminthics (e.g. praziquantel ).
The prevention of the disease is possible through hygiene when dealing with the dog, through consistent flea control and deworming the dog that is adapted to the living conditions . There are no preventive preparations to protect against endoparasitoses.
