Parasitology Training Manual
Hymenolepis diminuta
- Abbreviation: Hd
- Adult worm length: 10 - 60 cm
- Egg size: 62 - 88 microns
- Compared to H. nana the egg is much larger with no filaments.
- The life cycle of H. diminuta unlike H. nana requires an intermediate host.
- It rarely infects humans. As a matter of fact only 48 cases in the United States have been
reported since 1965.(7)
- Because of the low numbers H. diminuta infections in humans it has been suggested that this
organism be on the reportable list to track infections and treatment regimens.(7)
Click on the image below to enlarge
H. diminuta Life Cycle
This is a parasite of rats and mice. An intermediate host is involved, usually a flea, beetle or other
arthropod. A hatched embryo develops into a cercocystis in the gut of an intermediate host which is then ingested by a natural
host becoming an adult in about 18 - 20 days.
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