A REVIEW ON DIARRHOEA CAUSING HYMENOLEPIS NANA-DWARF TAPEWORM

Abstract

Hymenolepis nana, the ‘dwarf tapeworm,’ is the smallest tapeworm found in the intestines of broad range of dogs, rats and humans. It is frequently in children than in adults. Although, the parasite has a wide distribution particularly more prevalent in warm areas. It exists in many parts of the world in Egypt, Sudan Portugal, Spain, Sicily, India, Japan, South America, Cuba and parts of Eastern Europe. The transmission of H. nana is mainly via anus to mouth and owing to this; the infection is very common in children. The incidence of infection in humans ranges from less 1% to 25 %. Infection consists of a few worms but occasionally large numbers of worms are present in an individual. Diagnosis is usually based on finding eggs in stool specimens. The infection can be prevented by observing strict personal hygiene and good sanitation, killing of rats and mice and by treatment of infected persons with a suitable taenicide such as niclosamide.