Chart: 6 zoonoses you should know-Tapeworm infection
Details about the tapeworms for technicians.
Common disease name
Tapeworm infection
(Tapeworms are worms with a dorsoventrally flattened, ribbonlike appearance.)
Scientific name
Dogs:Dipylidium caninum, Taenia crassiceps, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia multiceps, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia serialis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis (relatively uncommon in dogs/zoonotic)
Cats:Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis, Echinococcus multilocularis
Method of infection
Dogs and cats: Ingestion of tissues of intermediate host (rabbits or rodents); ingestion of infected adult flea (Dipylidium caninum)
People: Ingestion of infected flea or tissues of intermediate host
Signs
Dogs and cats: Anal discomfort and itching that often results in pets dragging their hind ends across the floor
People: Most are asymptomatic, but diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anal pruritus are possible
Treatment
Praziquantel, epsiprantel, fenbendazole (dogs)
People most at risk
Children under the age of 8 years
Prevention
- Stringent adherence to controlling fleas and lice.
- Routine monthly deworming with praziquantel may be indicated for areas endemic to infections with Echinococcus species.
