Spirometra erinaceieuropaei

Spirometra erinaceieuropaei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Cestoda
Order: Diphyllobothriidea
Family: Diphyllobothriidae
Genus: Spirometra
Species:
S. erinaceieuropaei
Binomial name
Spirometra erinaceieuropaei
(Rudolphi, 1819) Mueller, 1937

Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is a parasitic tapeworm that infects domestic animals and humans. The medical term for this infection in humans and other animals is sparganosis.[1] Morphologically, these worms are similar to other worms in the genus Spirometra. They have a long body consisting of three sections: the scolex, the neck, and the strobilia.[2] They have a complex life cycle that consists of three hosts, and can live in varying environments and bodily tissues.[3] Humans can contract this parasite in three main ways (ingestion of under cooked meat, contaminated water, or poultices contained contaminated flesh).[4][5] Historically, humans are considered a paratenic host; however, the first case of an adult S. erinaceieuropaei infection in humans was reported in 2017.[6][7] Spirometra tapeworms exist worldwide and infection is common in animals, but S. erinaceieuropaei infections are rare in humans.[8][9] Treatment for infection typically includes surgical removal and anti-worm medication.[10][11]

  1. ^ "Spirometra erinaceieuropaei - WormBase ParaSite". parasite.wormbase.org. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :33 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :42 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).