Armillifer armillatus

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Epidemiology

  • African python is the definitive host
  • humans may become infested with larvae by ingestion of eggs in contaminated food or drink or after handling an infected python

Pathology

  • larvae encyst in various organs (liver, spleen, lungs) & rarely cause symptoms unless they compress vital structures or perforate an organ during migration
  • cysts are generally encountered as an incidental finding on autopsy

Management

More general terms

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
  2. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 936