Worms in children- tapeworms Hymenolepiasis Custom Search Hymenolepis nana is another tape worm commonly affecting children. Infection is by ingestion of eggs through contaminated food and water. Larvae released from eggs penetrate the intestinal wall and re-enter maturing into adults. Another species Hymenolepis diminuta primarily affects rats but can rarely infect man. Infection with Hymenolepis is usually asymptomatic. Heavy infection can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Treatment: Praziquantel is effective in a dose of 25 mg/kg as a single dose. Life cycle of Hymenolepis nana. Click on the graphic for more images.
EchinococcosisEchinococcosis is another disease caused by a tapeworm which can occasionally cause serious problems. Two species are known to affect man. Echinococcus granularis and Echinococcus multilocularis. The adult worm lives in the intestine of sheep. Eggs are passed in feces. If man ingests those eggs they hatch and release larvae. The larvae penetrate the wall of intestine, enter blood stream and reach various tissues where they form cysts. Life cycle of Echinococcus. Click on the graphic for more images
The organs most commonly involved are liver and lungs. Some cysts may be as large us 10 inches. Symptoms and signs: The manifestations are due to pressure affects. Those in liver may cause obstruction to flow of bile. They can cause erosion of blood vessels and bleeding. Rupture of lung cysts can cause cough, chest pain, wheezing and blood in sputum (hemoptysis). Cysts in brain may cause convulsions and other symptoms depending on location. Cysts is kidneys can cause pain and blood in urine (hematuria). Bone cysts can cause pain. Sudden rupture of cyst can cause severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and even death. Custom Search
Page last reviewed on 18th October 2010
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