Diphyllobothriasis differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Furqan M M. M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Diphyllobothriasis must be differentiated from tapeworm infections like taeniasis, hymenolepiasis, and schistosomiasis.

Differentiating diphyllobothriasis from other diseases

Diphyllobothriasis must be differentiated from tapeworm infections like taeniasis, hymenolepiasis, and schistosomiasis.

Infections	Common causative threadworms	Suggestive findings	Diagnostic approach	Treatment
Diphyllobothriasis	Diphyllobothrium latum	Epigastric pain Diarrhea Fatigue Nausea Vomiting Numbness Tingling	Stool examination for the eggs and adults PCR	Praziquantel
Taeniasis	Taenia solium Taenia saginata	Nausea Vomiting Epigastric pain	Stool examination for the eggs and proglottids Brain CT scan or Biopsy (for cysticercosis)	Praziquantel
Hymenolepiasis	Hymenolepis nana	Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Dizziness	Stool examination for the eggs and proglottids	Praziquantel
Schistosomiasis	Schistosoma japonicum Schistosoma mansoni Schistosoma haematobium	Abdominal pain Cough Diarrhea Fever Fatigue	Stool examination for the eggs Ultrasound of liver	Praziquantel