3-10. COMMON PARASITES OF CLASS CESTODA
ORGANISM 1--Diphyllobothrium latum
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
COMMON NAME: Fish tapeworm.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide.
PATHOGENESIS: Often asymptomatic; intestinal obstruction, eosinophilia, toxemia,
malnutrition, vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anemia.
HABITAT: Small intestines.
INTERMEDIATE HOST
FIRST: Copepod.
SECOND: Fresh water fish.
RESERVOIR HOST: Piscivores.
INFECTIVE FORM: Plerocercoid larva (sparganum).
MODE OF INFECTION: Ingestion.
SPECIMEN OF CHOICE: Feces.
Figure 3-38. Life cycle of Diphyllobothrium latum.
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