Search
Heterophyes heterophyes
1-3 mm intestinal worms that infect humans.
Epidemiology:
1) common parasites in Asia, but are found in other parts of the world
2) infection occurs after eating undercooked fresh water fish
Pathology:
1) worms attach to & at times burrow into the intestinal mucosa, eliciting an inflammatory response
2) ova have been found in the heart & other organs
3) clinically significant myocarditis has been reported
Clinical manifestations:
1) abdominal pain
2) diarrhea
Laboratory:
1) eggs are operculate, measure 15-17 x 20-30 um
2) differentiation from eggs of Clonorchis & Opisthorchis may be difficult
Management:
1) infections are generally self-limited because the worms have a life span of only a few months
2) praziquantel 25 mg/kg TID for 1 day
Related
operculate
praziquantel (Biltricide)
General
Heterophyes
Properties
KINGDOM: animal
PHYLUM: helminth
References
- Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods,
19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1290
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 930