Hymenolepis Nana (Dwarf Tapeworm)

Hymenolepis Nana is the smallest of all tapeworms and is sometimes called the Dwarf Tapeworm. It is spread on a global level including Central America, the USA, Russia, India, Argentina and many other places though we see clients from Middle East and Europe having it more often than from other locations. This parasite does not need an intermediate host. Humans get infected by ingesting food or water infected by the parasites eggs or directly from another human due to poor sanitation and hygiene.

Lifecycle
Humans are the main host of Hymenolepis. The eggs gets ingested and reach the intestines where adult worms mature and attach to the small intestinal lining. Most eggs will get excreted but some can stay and cause auto-infection – enabling the infection to continue for the duration of the hosts life-time. Incubation time is usually a few weeks and a full grown worm is usually around 1.5-4 cm long.

Symptoms

Some aymtoms that can occur in  infection with the dwarf tapeworm is abdominal problems, headaches, a itchy bottom and disturbed sleep. 

CDC – DPDx – Hymenolepiasis

Hymenolepis nana (Dwarf Tapeworm) Infection – Infectious Diseases – MSD Manual Professional Edition (msdmanuals.com)