What is Microbiology - Anemia Associated with Tapeworm Infection

​Anemia associated with tapeworm infection 

Diphyllobothrium latum is a broad fish tapeworm/ segmental flatworm or cestode.

Diphyllobothrium latum may lead to megaloblastic anemia due to deficiency of vitamin B12 which occur as the diphyllobothrium latum compete with the human host for vitamin B12. 

The freshwater fish or crustaceans are the intermediate host. The mode of transmission is from ingestion of raw, pickled or undercooked freshwater fish. It is important to prevent ingestion of undercooked fish.

Besides suffering from megaloblastic anemia, patient may also suffer from neurological complication. 

Adult tapeworm will remain attach to the intestine via scolex. The tapeworm may grow up to 13 meters length.

The strobila of the diphyllobothrium latum may contain one or more hermaphrodite proglottids. The proglottids appear to be wide with rosette pattern of the branches of uterine.  

The eggs of diphyllobothrium latum appear to be a lidlike operculum and elongated. 

The treatment may include praziquantel.