Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
10:57
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
23.1K
Tapeworm Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Cestoda)--neglected or emerging human parasite?
Roman Kuchta1, Jan Brabec1, Petra Kubáčková2
1Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|January 4, 2014
Summary
Diphyllobothrium dendriticum is an emerging tapeworm causing human infections, previously underdiagnosed and spreading globally. Molecular diagnostics are crucial for accurate identification and understanding its epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Diphyllobothrium tapeworms cause diphyllobothriasis, with D. latum historically identified as the primary human pathogen.
- Morphological misidentification has led to incorrect diagnoses, complicating the understanding of Diphyllobothrium species distribution.
- Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, common in arctic regions, is increasingly recognized as a potential human parasite, challenging previous assumptions about its prevalence and distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update knowledge on the life cycle, geographic distribution, and epidemiology of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of morphological versus molecular methods for Diphyllobothrium species identification.
- To highlight D. dendriticum as an emerging zoonotic agent with global spread potential.
Main Methods:
- Revision of over 900 references on Diphyllobothrium tapeworms.
- Morphological and molecular (cox1 gene sequencing) analysis of recent European human cases.
- Characterization of new D. dendriticum sequences to supplement existing data.
Main Results:
- The study provides an updated understanding of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum's life cycle, geographic spread, and epidemiological status.
- Molecular data confirmed D. dendriticum as a cause of diphyllobothriasis in Europe, where it was previously unreported.
- Morphological identification alone is insufficient, underscoring the need for molecular tools in parasite diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- Diphyllobothrium dendriticum is a neglected, likely underdiagnosed parasite with potential for global dissemination.
- Recent European cases demonstrate that diphyllobothriasis agents can be imported, expanding known endemic areas.
- Accurate molecular diagnostics are essential for identifying rare or non-native parasite species, improving knowledge of human parasite distribution and epidemiology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Diversity of Protists I
2.3K
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
2.3K
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
782
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
782
01:27Diversity of Protists II
2.3K
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
2.3K
01:15Anthelminthic Agents
103
Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
103
01:22Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
108
Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
108
01:29Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae
842
The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic...
842