HYMENOLEPIS NANA (DWARF TAPEWORM)

Question 1

Adult worm measures 1-3 cm in length. It is made up of head (scolex), neck and segmented body. The head carries four suckers and a rostellum armed with one row of hooks. The segments of the body are divided into mature and gravid segments. In the mature segment, there are three testes in the middle.

Answer 1

HYMENOLEPIS NANA (DWARF TAPEWORM)

Question 2

Infective stage and mode of infection of HYMENOLEPIS NANA (DWARF TAPEWORM)

Answer 2

-The egg, which is immediately infective when passed by the patient, is rounded, about 40 microns in diameter.
-It contains a six- hooked oncosphere within a rigid membrane (the embryosphere).
-This embryosphere has two polar thickening or knobs from which project 4-8 long, thin filaments called polar filaments.

Question 3

HYMENOLEPIS NANA (DWARF TAPEWORM) Infection takes place by:

Answer 3

1. Ingestion of egg with contaminated raw vegetables.
2. Direct infection from a patient
3. Auto infection: the eggs of H. nana are infective as soon as they are passed with feces by the patient. If the hands of the patient are contaminated by these eggs, she/he infects herself/himself again and again.