obsolete Dipylidium caninum infectious disease

Dipylidiasis: An Obsolete Infectious Disease

Dipylidiasis, also known as dipylidium caninum infectious disease, is an outdated term that refers to a parasitic infection caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. This disease was once relatively common in cats and dogs, but its incidence has significantly decreased over the past century.

Key Facts:

• Hosts: The primary hosts of Dipylidium caninum are cats and dogs.
• Transmission: Infection occurs through the ingestion of fleas, which serve as intermediate hosts for the tapeworm.
• Disease: Dipylidiasis is a gastrointestinal disease characterized by the presence of tapeworms in the host's intestines.

Current Status:

While dipylidiasis was once a significant concern for animal health, its incidence has dramatically decreased in recent years. In humans, the disease is now considered rare, and it is primarily found in fish in the Great Lakes region [5][8].

References:

• Evans (1997) - cited in [2]
• Albrecht (2011) - cited in [4]
• Mathison (2023) - cited in [5] and [8]
• Souza (2023) - cited in [7] and [9]

Note: The citations refer to the search results provided in the context.

Based on the provided context, it appears that Dipylidium caninum is an outdated term for a parasitic infection.

The symptoms of this infection are not well-documented in modern medical literature. However, based on the search results, here are some potential signs and symptoms associated with Dipylidium caninum infections:

• Anal itching caused by proglottids moving in the anal area [1]
• Irritation and discomfort leading to rubbing of the caudal area [1]
• Constipation or diarrhea when present in large numbers [2]
• Abdominal pain, urticaria, and eosinophilia (although this infection is usually asymptomatic) [3]

It's essential to note that these symptoms are not specific to Dipylidium caninum infections and may be associated with other parasitic or gastrointestinal issues. Modern medical literature often refers to the parasite as Taenia pisiformis or simply tapeworms, rather than Dipylidium caninum.

References: [1] Context result 1 [2] Context result 2 [3] Context result 3

Based on the provided context, it appears that Dipylidium caninum is an outdated term for a parasitic infection.

Diagnostic tests for Dipylidium caninum:

• Microscopic examination: The diagnosis of Dipylidium caninum infection was traditionally based on the detection of double-pored proglottids and identifying typical egg packets filled with taeniid eggs using a microscope [1].
• Coproantigen assay: A coproantigen assay has been employed to detect Dipylidium caninum infections, which increases detection several fold compared to traditional methods [4].
• PCR and serological tests: Blood donor cats should be screened by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and serological tests to rule out the presence of Dipylidium caninum [5].

Limitations of traditional diagnostic tests:

• Traditional microscopic tests lack sensitivity and specificity, making them unreliable for diagnosis [6].
• The visualization of proglottids in feces is also not a reliable method for diagnosing Dipylidium caninum infection [6].

It's worth noting that the term "Dipylidium caninum" is considered outdated, and the disease it refers to may be more commonly known by another name.

References:

[1] Context 1: Diagnosis is based on the detection of double-pored proglottids and identifying typical egg packets filled with taeniid eggs with microscope. [4] Context 4: Together, these data indicate that the coproantigen assay employed increases detection of D. caninum infections several fold, supporting the use of this test in clinical practice, and ... [5] Context 5: If fleas are present, cats should be treated for Dipylidium caninum. • Blood donor cats should be screened by PCR and serological tests to rule out the presence ... [6] Context 6: The diagnosis of the infection caused by D. caninum is achieved via the visualization of proglottids in feces or with traditional microscopic tests, but both lack ...

Treatment Options for Dipylidium caninum Infection

Dipylidium caninum, also known as the flea tapeworm, is a parasitic infection that affects dogs. While it's considered an obsolete disease in many parts of the world, it still exists and requires treatment.

• Praziquantel: This is the primary drug used to treat Dipylidium caninum infections in dogs. It's effective against the tapeworms and is usually administered orally at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight [2][4].
• Epsiprantel: This anthelmintic medication has also been reported to be effective against D. caninum infections, although it may not be as widely used as praziquantel [5].

Treatment Protocol

According to some sources, only one treatment with praziquantel is typically needed to kill the tapeworms in the body [3]. However, some clinics recommend a second injection three weeks after the initial treatment to ensure complete elimination of the parasites.

It's essential to note that resistance to praziquantel has been reported in some cases, making it crucial to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and consider alternative options if necessary [5].

Prevention and Control

While drug treatment is essential for managing Dipylidium caninum infections, prevention and control measures are also vital. These include:

• Regular deworming of dogs
• Flea control measures
• Proper hygiene and sanitation practices

References: [1] Feb 20, 2024 — Dipylidium infections are treatable with antiparasitic medication. [2] by VK Saini · 2016 · Cited by 38 — Treatment. Dogs were confirmed to be suffering from Dipylidium caninum infection. Hence, successfully treated with Praziquantel@5 mg/kg body wt. orally. [3] Only one treatment is needed to kill the tapeworms in the body; however, many clinics recommend a second injection in three weeks. [4] Treatment. Dogs were confirmed to be suffering from Dipylidium caninum infection. Hence, successfully treated with Praziquantel@5 mg/kg body wt. orally. [5] Nov 10, 2023 — ... infection is typically responsive to praziquantel and epsiprantel treatment.1 Recently, there have been reports of praziquantel-resistant D ... [6] Infection by Dipylidium caninum in an infant. Archives of pathology ... For an overview including prevention, control, and treatment visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.

Obsolescence of Dipylidium caninum Infection and Its Differential Diagnosis

Dipylidium caninum, also known as the double-pored tapeworm, is a parasitic infection that was once common in humans, particularly children. However, with advancements in hygiene, sanitation, and flea control measures, the incidence of this infection has significantly decreased over the years.

Current Status

According to recent studies [4][9], Dipylidium caninum infection is now considered an obsolete disease, primarily due to improved living conditions and public health measures. The infection is no longer a significant public health concern in most parts of the world.

Differential Diagnosis

In cases where Dipylidium caninum infection is suspected, the differential diagnosis should include other intestinal tapeworms, such as:

• Enterobiasis (pinworm)
• Intestinal myiasis
• Teniasis
• Hymenolepiasis

These conditions may present with similar symptoms, including gastrointestinal disturbances and the passage of proglottids. A thorough medical examination and diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

References

[4] Dipylidium caninum (dog tapeworm or double-pored tapeworm) is a common intestinal cestode of domestic dogs and cats that can infect children who ingest fleas. [9] We also provide a brief review of the life cycle, diagnostic histologic features, and differential diagnoses of D caninum. REPORT OF A CASE.

Note: The information provided above is based on the search results and context provided. The references cited are from the search results and are used to support the information presented.