Case #336 - November, 2012
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The DPDx Team received a worm-like object collected from a child's diaper for diagnostic assistance. Grossly, the object was white, semi-flattened, and measured approximately 4.0 mm long by 2.0 mm wide. With no discernible external features, the object was teased open and its internal contents examined microscopically. Figures A and B show what was observed from the tease preparation of the object. Individual round objects measured on average 37.0 µm in diameter. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Figure B
Case Answer
This was a case of dipylidiasis caused by the dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum. Diagnostic morphologic features included:
- eggs within the size range for D. caninum (35.0-40.0 µm in diameter).
- eggs containing refractile hooklets.
- eggs arranged in packets (best seen in Figure B).
More on: Dipylidium caninum
Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.
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