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Hymenolepis nana
Dwarf tapeworms
Dwarf tapeworms have a unique life-cycle in which both the larval and adult phases
occur in the same host. The adult lives for about 2 weeks in the proximal ileum and is
about 2cm long. The pregnant segments of the worm are released into the faecal stream. The
eggs are immediately infective and, when ingested by a new host, penetrate the intestinal
villi to become cysticeroids. Larvae migrate to the ileum and mature to become adults.
Note that eggs may be released before passing into the stool and auto-infection may occur. |