Hymenolepis nana: An Intestinal Cyclophyllidean Helminthes Parasite | Chapter 5 | Advancements in Science and Technology: Paving the Way to a Sustainable Future

The present investigation deals with the most common intestinal helminth parasite Hymenolepis nana. The cestode H. nana is commonly known as dwarf tapeworm. H. nana parasite consists of a scolex with 4 suckers, a neck and a strobila. The strobila are commonly called proglottids. The proglottids are called gravid at the posterior end of the body. Adult parasite is only 15-50 mm in length. The gravid segments contain eggs. In the adult stage, gravid proglottids get detached and release eggs. In the adult stage, gravid proglottids get detached and release eggs. The eggs are oval and size approximately 30×50 μm. The eggs are infective stage having the oncosphere larva. Oncosphere has the ability to develop tailless cysticercoids in mammals and tailed cysticercoids in beetles. The hymenolepidide parasite is distributed all over the world in warm tropical & sub-tropical regions including Asia, Central & South America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Africa, Sudan, Australia, Northern England, India and many more. The tapeworm mainly parasitizes rodents and humans, especially children. H. nana affects more commonly to rodent than human beings. The life cycle of this parasite involves a definitive host and an intermediate host. Human beings, rats and mice are definitive hosts. Arthropods such as flour beetles and rat fleas act as an intermediate host infected by eating faeces containing eggs. It is estimated that 20 million people in the world are parasitized by this parasite. The infection of cyclophyllidean parasite is mostly reported in developing countries with inadequate sanitation, improper personal hygiene conditions, lack of quality education, population growth and low socio-economic conditions. The cestode is considered a zoonotic parasite as both intermediate host and infected rodents (mice and rats) act as a reservoir of infection. The mode of transmission of zoonotic parasites is either direct from human to human or through re-infection/autoinfection. The direct transmission is done either by ingestion of contaminated food or by hands-to-mouth infection through the fecal-oral route. In autoinfection, the parasite's eggs do not pass out with fecal matter and adults propagate into the intestine of the same host. H. nana produces hymenolepiasis. In mild infections, symptoms are often asymptomatic but in heavy infections, this interrupts normal gastrointestinal functioning. The symptoms include abdominal pain, headache, weight loss, itching, nausea, jaundice, diarrhea, fever, allergic response and even also anemia. Thus, the parasite poses a serious threat to public health. Major factors/reasons causing disease are lack of personal hygiene and safe water, overcrowding and poverty. The diagnostic test is stool microscopy to detect eggs of the tapeworm. Anthelminthic drugs are used in the therapy of hymenolepiasis. Albendazole and Praziquantel are the most commonly used and effective drugs. Nitazoxanide and Niclosamide are alternative drugs, which are used in the therapy of hymenolepiasis. There is a medicinal plant, Ferula asafetida, which has anthelminthic properties and is also used for the treatment of hymenolepiasis. It has anti-cestode and anti-inflammatory properties and improves the immune system. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to study hymenolepididae species found in humans, rats and mice sp. and to provide awareness and education among the people about this neglected zoonotic parasite.

 

Author (s) Details

Babita
Department of Zoology, Mukand Lal National College, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana- 135001, India.

 

Sushil Kumar Upadhyay
Department of Bio-Sciences and Technology, MMEC, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) Mullana-Ambala, Haryana- 133207, India.

 

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