sparganosis

Etiology

• infection with sparganum or plerocercoid larvae of Diphyllobothrium spirometra

Epidemiology

• transmitted by the Cyclops copepod
• infection may be acquired by drinking contaminated water, or by ingesting infected snakes, birds or mammals

Pathology

• worm migrates slowly in tissues
• periorbital tissues may be involved
  • ocular sparganosis may destroy the eye

Clinical manifestations

• infection commonly presents as subcutaneous swelling

Management

• surgical excision is used to treat localized sparganosis

More general terms

• helminth infection
• crustacean-borne infection

Additional terms

• Diphyllobothrium spirometra
• plerocercoid
• sparganum