Cestode Zoonoses - BERTIELLIASIS

Bertiella studeri and mucronanta, anoplocephalid tapeworms. 260-300mm length tapeworm with 10mm width. Gravid segments shed off in groups of about 20.

RESERVOIRS AND INCIDENCE:

NHP's.

TRANSMISSION:

NHP's acquire the parasitosis by ingesting mites infected with cysticercoid larvae. Man can become infected accidentally by ingesting food containing the mites.

DISEASE IN NHP'S:

Asymptomatic.

DISEASE IN HUMANS:

The infection is usually asymptomatic, but cases with recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, and intermittent diarrhea have been observed.

DIAGNOSIS:

Diagnosis is based on microscopic observation of the proglottids eliminated in the feces. The egg possesses a characteristic pyriform apparatus.

TREATMENT:

Dichlorophen

PREVENTION/CONTROL:

Control mites.