Pumpkin tartar often causes diseases in cats and dogs, in extremely rare cases can parasitize a person. At risk are children who are in close contact with pets.
The cycle of parasite development is quite complicated, becausenecessarily includes the presence of an intermediate host. Eggs of helminths initially fall into the body of withered or fleas, in the body of which they transform into cysticercoid. These insects( flea, wilted) settle in the animal's fur, leading to the appearance of itching. Therefore, a cat or dog constantly licks the wool or bites itself in itchy places. As a result, the insects that are infected by the pumpkin chain are swallowed, which in the body of the intermediate host are a tapeworm in a matured individual.
In humans, infection occurs only when swallowing fleas or withers. This is facilitated by the lack of hand hygiene after contact with pets. On the enlarged photo you can see how many cysticercoids of pumpkin tapeworm are present on the palms after stroking infected cats or dogs. Therefore, most often it affects children.
Pumpkin tartar is about 40 cm long, with individual segments not exceeding 3 cm. They are similar in shape to pumpkin seed, so this kind of worms was given a similar name. The club-shaped thickening is located on the side of the head, on which there is a proboscis equipped with 4 chitinous hooks. It is thanks to them that the worm is attached to the body of the final host. Four oval suction cups strengthen the mount.
Eggs of pumpkin chain are allocated in groups, each of which is from 8 to 15 pieces. They are surrounded by a common shell resembling a cocoon. The eggs are round in shape, and their size is insignificant. The shell has no radial striation. This feature is used as a differential diagnostic to determine the systematic( species) affiliation of worms.
Symptoms of dipylidiosis( invasion caused by pumpkin chain) are manifested in infected children. They complain of abdominal pain and nausea, which can lead to vomiting. At the same time, general weakness and headache appear. Against this background, children become irritable and refuse to eat. To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory examination of feces is performed. Infection with a pumpkin chain is established on the detection in the feces of eggs with a characteristic appearance, and the identification of segments of the worm.
Treatment of pumpkin tartan is medicated. To do this, anthelmintic agents are prescribed. There are 2 courses of therapy with an interval of 1 month. The duration of one course is from 5 to 7 days. Mandatory compliance with hygiene and sanitation is required to prevent self-contamination. The animals are also de-worming. All family members are assigned a laboratory examination.