infectious diseases
Diphyllobothriasis (Fish Tapeworm Infection)
Introduction
Diphyllobothriasis is infection with intestinal tapeworms of the family Diphyllobothriidae. They are acquired by eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish. Treatment is withpraziquantelor niclosamide. D. latumis the most common and among the largest parasites that infect humans (up to 10 m in length).D. latumand other Diphyllobothriidae species have aquatic life cycles. In freshwater, eggs ofD. latumfrom human feces hatch into free-swimming larvae, which are ingested by microcrustaceans. The microcrustaceans are ingested by fish, in which the larvae become infective. Several otherDibothriocephalusspecies andAdenocephalus pacificuscan infect humans after ingestion of raw fish, but they are not as common. Diphyllobothriasis occurs worldwide, especially where cool lakes are contaminated by sewage. Infections in the United States and northern Europe occur in people who eat raw or undercooked freshwater fish. Infection is less common with current sewage treatment. 