UPPER NILE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

FOURTH (4) YEAR CLASS

GROUP 11 PRESENTATION

PREPARED BY:
1. MAJOK JOSEPH RIING
2. WEK WEK ARIECH
3. AKOT MAROR AKOT
4. FLORA ACHEL ABUOK
INTRODUCTION TO
HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA
In this presentation, we will look at the following outlines regarding the
Hymenolepis Diminuta
• Introduction
• Morphology
• Life cycle
• Epidemiology
• Pathogenesis
• Host response
• Clinical features
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prevention and control
INTRODUCTION

Hymenolepis diminuta, also know as rat tapeworm, is a

species of cestode (tapeworm) that primarily infects
rodents and causes hymenolepiasis after being
ingested by human beings.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Platyhelminthes
• Class: Cestoda
• Order: Cyclophyllidea
• Family: Hymenolepididae
• Genus: Hymenolepis
• Species: [Link]
 MORPHOLOGY
It consists of three main regions; the scolex, neck, and strobila (segmented body)
and others.
1. Scolex (Head)
• Shape: small, rounded, and club-shaped.
• Size: approximately 0.2-0.3 mm in diameter.
• Rostellum: unarmed (lack hooks), unlike other cestode called H. nana
• Suckers: four muscular, cup-shaped suckers that help the tapeworm attach to the
intestinal wall of the definitive host.
2. Neck
• Shape: narrow and unsegmented.
• Function: a region of cell division where new proglottids (segments) are
 Cont…………………………………………
……………………
3. Strobila (body)
• Structure: composed of a chain of proglottids (segmented body) arrange in a
fashion.
• Length: can grow up to 60 cm.
• Proglottids: start as immature near the neck and become mature the moved
posteriorly. Mature proglottids contain fully developed reproductive organs.
Gravid proglottids (at the posterior end) are fill with eggs and eventually detach
to release egg into the host`s feces.
4. Reproductive system
• Hermaphroditic: each mature proglottid contains both male and female
reproductive organs.
Cont…………………………………………
…………………….
5. Eggs
• Shape: oval or spherical.
• Size: 60-80 um in diameter.
• Outer layer: thin, smooth shell.
• Inner layer: thick inner membrane
• Oncosphere: contains six tiny hooks (hexacanth embryo)
Cont…………………………………………
…………………….
6. Larval stage ( cysticercoid)
• Shape: small, solid-bodied larva with a fully developed scolex.
• Location: found in the body cavity (hemocoel) of the intermediate
host (e.g. beetles, fleas, or other arthropods)
• Size: approximately 500-600 um in length.
 LIFE CYCLE
 The life cycle of hymenolepis diminuta (rat tapeworm) involves both an
intermediate host ( arthropods, such as beetles or fleas) and a definitive host
(typically rodents, and occasionally humans).
Here`s a step by step explanation of the life cycle:
1. Eggs in the environment
• Adult tapeworms in the intestinal of the definitive host (usually a rat, but
sometimes humans) produce gravid proglottids fill with eggs.
• These eggs are released into the environment through the host`s feces.
• Eggs are highly resistant and can survive for extended period in the environment.
2. Ingestion by intermediate host
• The eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically arthropods e.g. fleas etc.
• Inside the gut of the arthropod, the eggs hatch into oncospheres (larval stage)
 Cont…………………………………………
…………………….
3. Development in the intermediate host
• The oncospheres penetrate the intestinal wall of the arthropod and migrate into
the hemocoel (body cavity)
• Here, the developed into the cysticercoids stage, which is small solid-bodied larva
with a fully developed scolex.
4. Ingestion by definitive host
• The infected arthropod is eaten by a definitive host (e.g. a rat, mouse or
sometimes human)
• Common ways this happens;
Rodents eat contaminated food that contains infected beetles or fleas.
Human may accidentally eat infected arthropods (e.g. in contaminated grains or
cereals)
 Cont…………………………………………
…………………….
5. Development in the definitive host
• Once insides are the digestive system of the definitive host, the cysticercoids are
released in the small intestine.
• They attach to the intestinal wall using their scolex and developed into adult
tapeworms.
• The adult tapeworms grow and begin producing proglottids (body segment),
which are filled with eggs.
6. Eggs release
• The gravid proglottids break off from the adult worm and are passed out in the
host`s feces, releasing eggs into the environment.
• The cycle then repeats itself.
EPIDEMIOLOGY

Geographical distribution
• Worldwide distribution: found globally, but more prevalence in
tropical and subtropical regions with warm humid climates.
• Common regions are southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South
America, middle east, and Mediterranean regions.
• High prevalence in area with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
 HOST RESPONSE

• Definitive Host: rodents (such as rats) are the definitive hosts, as they harbor
the adult tapeworm in their intestines.
• Intermediate Host: arthropods e.g. flour beetles ( Tribolium spp), fleas,
mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

Note: Humans can act as accidental intermediate hosts when they ingest the
cysticercoid larvae from contaminated sources, but they are not primary hosts
for this parasite.
TRANSMISSION

• via ingestion of infected intermediate hosts.

• via consumption of contaminated food and water.
• Poor hygiene practices
• via direct contact with rodents
 PATHOGENESIS

• Ingestion of Cysticercoids: infections begins when human ingest cysticercoids

from contaminated food and water.
• Development in the Intestines: once ingested, cysticercoid attaches to the
intestinal mucosa and develops into an adult tapeworm.
• Nutrient Absorption: the adult tapeworm absorbs nutrients from the host’s
intestine which lead to nutritional deficiencies in the host.
• Immune Response: the presence of the worm can trigger an immune response,
but many infections are asymptomatic, indicating that the host may tolerate the
parasite well.
CLINICAL FEATURES

• Asymptomatic
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anorexia ( loss of appetite)
• Weigh loss
• Fatigue and weakness
 Diagnosis
1. Microscopic examination of stool for eggs and segments
2. Imaging studies (Computer Radiography (CR), Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) for intestinal blockage
3. Serological tests e.g. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)

Treatment
4. Praziquante ( primary treatment)
5. Niclosamide ( alternative)
6. Albendazole ( effective against cysticercoids)
Prevention

1. Proper food storage and handling

2. Improved sanitation and hygiene
3. Regular hand washing
4. Avoiding contaminated water and food
5. Public health education
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