Sparganosis Sparganosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sparganosis is a
parasitic infection caused by the plerocercoid
larvae of diphyllobothroid
tapeworms belonging to the genus
Spirometra.
[1]. First described by Manson in 1882,
the infection is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water, ingestion of a second intermediate
host such as a frog or snake, or contact between
a second intermediate host and an open wound or mucus membrane[2][3]. Humans are the accidental hosts in the life cycle, while dogs, cats, and other mammals are definitive hosts.
Copepods (freshwater crustaceans) are the first intermediate hosts, and various amphibians and reptiles are second intermediate hosts
[4].
....
Once a human becomes infected, the plerocercoid larvae migrate to a subcutaneous location, where they typically develop into a painful nodule[5]. Migration to the brain results in cerebral sparganosis, while migration to the eyes results in ocular sparganosis....
......Clinical presentation of sparganosis most often occurs after the larvae have migrated to a subcutaneous location.
The destination of the larvae is often a tissue or muscle in the chest, abdominal wall, extremities, or scrotum, although other sites include the eyes, brain, urinary tract, pleura, peridcardium, and spinal canal. The early stages of disease in humans are often
asymptomatic, but the spargana typically cause a
painful inflammatory reaction in the tissues surrounding the subcutaneous site as they grow. Discrete subcutaneous nodules develop that may appear and disappear over a period of time. The nodules usually itch, swell, turn red, and migrate, and are often accompanied by painful edema....
......The parasite is transmitted to humans in three different ways. First, humans may acquire the
infection by drinking water that is contaminated with copepods housing Spirometra larvae
[2]. Second, humans may acquire the infection by consuming the raw flesh of one of the second intermediate hosts, such as frogs or snakes
[4]. For example, humans consume raw snakes or tadpoles for medicinal purposes in some Asian cultures; if the snakes or tadpoles are infected, the larvae may be transmitted to humans. Third, humans may acquire the infection by placing raw
poultices of the second intermediate hosts on open wounds, lesions, and/or the eyes for medicinal or ritualistic reasons. If the poultice is infected with plerocercoid larvae, the human also may become infected
[1][6]. According to Zunt et al.,
human infection most often occurs following ingestion of infected raw snake, frog, or pig, although contact with infected flesh of an intermediate host can also cause infection. In the Western hemisphere, the most common cause of infection is drinking contaminated water[6
......The incubation period of Spirometra is 20 days to 3 years..
......The sparganum larvae are white, wrinkled, and ribbon-shaped. They range from a few millimeters in length to several centimenters...
eggs
Katinka
May 21st, 2009, 10:23 AM
Sparganosis 
Thank you Krittsters:
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