Bothriocephalus latus

Bothriocephalus latus

Bothriocephalus latus, also known as the broad fish tapeworm or the broad tapeworm, is a parasite that belongs to the class Cestoda in the phylum Platyhelminthes. It is one of the largest tapeworms that can infect humans, reaching lengths of up to 10 to 15 meters. The infection caused by Bothriocephalus latus is known as diphyllobothriasis, which primarily occurs by consuming undercooked or raw freshwater fish that are infested with the parasite's larvae.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Bothriocephalus latus involves multiple hosts. The adult tapeworm resides in the intestines of the definitive host, which can be humans or other fish-eating mammals. The tapeworm releases eggs into the environment through the host's feces. Once in freshwater, the eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae called coracidia. These larvae are then ingested by small crustaceans, specifically copepods, where they develop into another larval stage known as procercoid larvae. When these infected copepods are consumed by freshwater fish, the procercoid larvae migrate to the fish's muscles and develop into plerocercoid larvae, the stage infectious to humans and other definitive hosts. Humans become infected by consuming raw or undercooked fish containing plerocercoid larvae.

Symptoms and Treatment

In many cases, infection with Bothriocephalus latus may be asymptomatic. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, weight loss, and vitamin B12 deficiency leading to megaloblastic anemia. Diagnosis is typically made by identifying the parasite's eggs or segments in the stool of an infected individual. Treatment involves the administration of antiparasitic drugs, such as praziquantel or niclosamide, which are effective in eliminating the tapeworm.

Prevention

Prevention of diphyllobothriasis involves cooking fish thoroughly or freezing it at temperatures that kill the plerocercoid larvae. Public health education on the risks of consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish is also crucial in preventing infections.

Epidemiology

Bothriocephalus latus has a worldwide distribution but is most commonly found in regions where the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish is a common dietary practice. This includes parts of Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan. Changes in dietary habits and improvements in sanitation have led to a decrease in the incidence of diphyllobothriasis in some areas.

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Bothriocephalus latus for any updates.

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