Heterophyes heterophyes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Introduction
1-3 mm intestinal worms that infect humans.
Epidemiology
- common parasites in Asia, but are found in other parts of the world
- infection occurs after eating undercooked fresh water fish
Pathology
- worms attach to & at times burrow into the intestinal mucosa, eliciting an inflammatory response
- ova have been found in the heart & other organs
- clinically significant myocarditis has been reported
Clinical manifestations
Laboratory
- eggs are operculate, measure 15-17 x 20-30 um
- differentiation from eggs of Clonorchis & Opisthorchis may be difficult
Management
- infections are generally self-limited because the worms have a life span of only a few months
- praziquantel 25 mg/kg TID for 1 day