Overview of hymenolepis diminuta infection among Thai patients.
BACKGROUND
Hymenolepis diminuta infection is a very rare cestode infection. Until present, fewer than 500 cases have been observed worldwide.


OBJECTIVE
The author performed a literature review on the reports of H diminuta in Thailand in order to summarize the characteristics of this infection among Thai patients.


METHODS
This study was designed as a descriptive retrospective study. A literature review of the papers concerning H diminuta infections in Thailand was performed.


RESULTS
According to this study, there have been at least 6 reports in the literature of 10 individual cases of H diminuta infection, of which 1 case was lethal. Of 4 cases that documented patients' age, the ages ranged from 20 months to 55 years. Of 5 cases that documented patients' sex, 3 were males and 2 were females. Most (9/10) were asymptomatic; however, there was 1 inpatient case, concomitant with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Antiparasitic drugs were prescribed in 3 cases: niclosamide in 2 cases and praziquantel in 1 case. The 2 patients receiving niclosamide passed the parasites after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the H diminuta infection is a rare cestode infection that is sporadically reported in Thailand. The diagnosis of H diminuta infection is usually by accident during a field survey. The prognosis outcome is usually good, and the treatment does not appear to affect outcome, as there is good survival without treatment.
Wiwanitkit
Viroj
V
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. wviroj@pioneer.netserv.chula.ac.th
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006925:Hymenolepiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D048190:Hymenolepis diminuta; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013785:Thailand