Dipylidium caninum

Introduction
This tapeworm is commonly found throughout the world in dogs and cats, both
domestic and wild. Human infections have also been reported from many areas of the
world. Most infections have been reported in children.

Life Cycle and Morphology

The life cycle is very similar to that of H. diminuta, in which the arthropod is an
obligatory intermediate host. The adult worms are found in the dog or cat intestine
and gravid proglottids separate from the strobila and may migrate singly or in short
chains out of the anus. The adult worms measure from 10 to 70 cm long and have a
scolex with four suckers and an armed rostellum. The single proglottids have been
described as looking like cucumber seeds when moist and like rice grains when dry.
Groups of eggs (egg packets) may be found in the stool. Each egg measures from 25
to 40 µm and contains the six-hooked oncosphere. The eggs are ingested by the larval
stages of the dog, cat, or human flea, where they develop into cysticercoid larvae.
When these fleas are then ingested by the definitive host (dogs, cats, or humans), the
adult worm develops within 3 to 4 weeks.

Clinical Disease
The symptoms are related to worm burden; however, in most patients (usually
children), some complaints may consist of indigestion and appetite loss. Awareness of
the infection may first appear from the migration of proglottids from the anus.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis would depend on the recovery and identification of the characteristic egg
packets or the proglottids.

Epidemiology and Prevention

Most human cases have been in children, indicating they may be more likely to
accidentally swallow the infected fleas or perhaps are more susceptible to infection.
Periodic administration of anthelmintics to dogs and cats and use of flea powders will
help reduce the risk of infection.