Dipylidium Infection - Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Is Dipylidium Infection?

Dipylidium infection is an infectious disease that primarily affects cats and dogs. Dipylidium caninum, a tapeworm, is the causative organism that causes this infection. Although this infection can be found all over the world, in the United States, it is regarded as the most prevalent tapeworm in dogs and cats. Dipylidiasis or dipylidium infection in humans was originally reported in 1758. This tapeworm has several other names, such as dog tapeworm, flea tapeworm (as transmitted by a flea infected with tapeworm larvae), cucumber tapeworm, and double-pored tapeworm.

The Prevalence of Dipylidium Infection: What Does Statistics Say?

Although dipylidium infection is more common in dogs and cats, it does not mean it can not infect humans. Cases of this infection in humans have been reported in studies from time to time. According to studies, this infection has been reported on every continent except Antarctica. Depending on the location, the frequency of infection in dogs and cats ranges from one to 60 percent. The autopsy report of stray dogs in Merida, Yucatan (Mexico) revealed that animals older than six months present a 34 percent infection frequency, whereas, in Queretaro (Mexico), the infection frequency was 54 percent.

Human cases of dipylidium infection are not very common; however, some cases have been reported in several countries, including Europe, the Philippines, China, India, Japan, Latin America, and the United States. Most of these reported cases were children, including infants under six months of age. Apart from this, some cases of this infection in children have been reported in Chile, where children aged two months to four years got affected. In adults, this infection is even rarer than in children, and very few cases have been reported so far.

According to a recent study, the hospital-based prevalence of dipylidium infection was 21 percent in dogs and 0.4 percent in children. The important thing to note is that the number of cases of human dipylidiasis is rising. As more reports come in from other parts of the globe, this disease is no longer seen as a condition that can be ignored because of its hazards to public health.

How Do Dogs and Cats Get Dipylidium Infection?

Dipylidium cannium, the most common tapeworm of dogs and cats, enters their body through the oral route. A dog or cat might eat an infected flea that carries tapeworm larvae while grooming themselves. After the digestion of the infected flea, the larval tapeworm can mature into an adult tapeworm. The adult tapeworm comprises numerous microscopic segments known as proglottids, each roughly the size of a grain of rice. The length of an adult tapeworm can range from 4 to 28 inches. As the tapeworm develops further inside the intestine, these proglottids separate and discharge into the stool.

How Do Humans Get Dipylidium Infection?

The dipylidium infection is transmitted to humans through dogs and cats. People who keep dogs and cats as pets are more susceptible to catching this infection. However, stray dogs and cats can also transmit this disease to humans. When a flea (a small, wingless insect) carrying dipylidium caninum is accidentally eaten by a human, they become infected. This accidental ingestion usually happens with young children who have close contact with dogs and are kissed or licked by diseased pet dogs. Additionally, people having weak immunity, frequently playing in streets and playgrounds, and poor hand hygiene are also at risk of catching this illness.

What Are the Symptoms of Dipylidium Infection in Dogs and Cats?

Most of the time, no symptoms appear after catching this infection. However, some pets may exhibit loss of appetite, weight loss, dullness, and lack of hair coat. Apart from this, the proglottids can occasionally be spotted crawling close to the anus or on the surface of fresh feces. Tapeworm eggs are found in these proglottids, and as the proglottid dries out, the eggs are discharged into the environment. These dried proglottids are approximately two millimeters in size, yellow in color, and hard in consistency. Occasionally, dried proglottids surrounding the pet's anus can be observed clinging to the fur.

What Are the Symptoms of Dipylidium Infection in Humans?

In humans, mostly children get affected, and they may or may not exhibit symptoms. The symptoms associated with this disease are mostly related to the abdomen. The symptoms are listed below.

• Stomach Pain.

• Loose motions.

• Indigestion.

• Weight loss.

• Bloating.

• Anal itching.

• Loss of appetite.

• Vomiting.

• Fever.

• Sleep disturbances.

• Rashes.

• Increased irritability in children.

• Presence of proglottids on an infant's diaper, stool, or perineal area (area surrounding anus).

How Is Dipylidium Infection Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by stool examination. The aim of stool examination is to rule out the presence of proglottis or the characteristic egg packet of this parasite in the stool sample for the confirmation of dipylidium infection. In pets, when moving segments (proglottids) are observed crawling about the anus or in a bowel movement, a tapeworm infection is typically detected. In humans, it is first observed by the infant's mother or caregiver while changing diapers. The stool of an infected child may contain proglottids, which catches the attention due to its resemblance with rice grain.

Sometimes, proglottids may be misinterpreted for vegetable matter, undigested food, maggots, or fly larvae because they resemble rice grains when dried and cucumber, pumpkin, or watermelon seeds when moist. It is often misdiagnosed as pinworm because it produces symptoms similar to those of dipylidium caninum and has a similar macroscopic appearance as well.

How Is Dipylidium Infection Treated and Prevented?

Treatment is easy and highly efficient for both humans and animals. Praziquantel, a prescription medication, is used to treat this infection in humans and pets. This drug is administered orally or through injections. The drug makes the tapeworm disintegrate inside the intestine. Apart from this, Niclosamide is also effective in treating this tapeworm infection.

Dipylidium infection is prevented by maintaining good hygiene. Ensuring that the pet's indoor and outdoor habitats are flea-free. Flea control is a major preventive measure for pet owners. Tapeworm infections in pets should be treated promptly by veterinarians. Pets should be cleaned up thoroughly after visiting public places like playgrounds or parks. As children are more prone to this infection, it is advised not to let children play in locations that have been contaminated by pets or other animal feces. Parents should teach kids to always wash their hands after interacting with animals, especially dogs and cats, and after playing outside.

Conclusion:

Everyone loves to keep dogs and cats as pets. Humans share a good bond with them. However, poor sanitary conditions can invite infections and make them carriers of several diseases. Dipylidium infection is one of them, and it can be controlled by opting for preventive measures and taking the best care of the pet's health and hygiene.