Hymenolepiasis
Overview
A rare parasitic disease caused by a tapeworm called Hymenolepis nana or Hymenlepis dimunita. Infestation occurs through fecal contamination or by accidentally consuming insects that have eaten the parasitic eggs.
Symptoms
* Asymptomatic * Abdominal pain * Loss of appetite * Diarrhea * Anal itching
Diagnosis
The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Hymenolepiasis. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Hymenolepiasis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Hymenolepiasis signs or Hymenolepiasis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Hymenolepiasis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Hymenolepiasis symptoms.
Prognosis
Cure rates are extremely good with modern treatments, but it is unclear that successful cure results in any symptomatic benefit to patients.
Treatment
Praziquantel as a single dose (25 mg/kg) is the current treatment of choice for hymenolepiasis and has an efficacy of 96%. Single dose albendazole (400 mg) is also very efficacious (>95%). Niclosamide has also been used. A three-day course of nitazoxanide is 75–93% efficacious. The dose is 1g daily for adults and children over 12; 400mg daily for children aged 4 to 11 years; and 200mg daily for children aged 3 years or younger.