A Human Case of Hymenolepis diminuta in a Child from Eastern Sicily.
10.3347/kjp.2010.48.2.167
- Author:
Ildebrando PATAMIA
1
;
Elisa CAPPELLO
;
Donato CASTELLANO-CHIODO
;
Filippo GRECO
;
Luciano NIGRO
;
Bruno CACOPARDO
Author Information
1. Laboratory Section and Microbiology Unit, University Hospital of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Hymenolepis diminuta;
cestode infection;
treatment;
intestinal helminthiasis
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2010;48(2):167-169
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
We report a case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a 2-year-old child living in a suburban area of Catania, Italy. This case was initially referred to us as Dipylidium caninum infection, which was not cured after being treated twice with mebendazole. However, by analyzing the clinical presentation and stool samples we arrived to the diagnosis of H. diminuta infection. The case presented with atypical allergic manifestations which had never been reported as clinical features of symptomatic H. diminuta infection; remittent fever with abdominal pain, diffuse cutaneous itching, transient thoracic rash, and arthromyalgias. The patient was treated with a 7-day cycle of oral niclosamide, which proved to be safe and effective. This case report emphasizes that a correct parasitological diagnosis requires adequate district laboratories and trained personnel. In addition, we recommend the importance of reporting all H. diminuta infection cases, in order to improve knowledge on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment protocols.
