|
Figure 33-10. Sparganosis.
Spirometra species due to a
poultice made from a frog. (Courtesy
of the Fitzsimons Army Medical
Center teaching files.) |
Sparganosis is an infection produced by various species of the tapeworm
Spirometra, which is seen most commonly in Asia and Southeast Asia. Sparganosis is typically acquired by drinking water containing infected copepods or the ingestion of inadequately cooked snake or frog meat. Clinically, it presents as pruritic or painful nodules that contain the encysted tapeworm. “Application sparganosis” occurs when an eye or ulcer is contaminated by a poultice made from these same animals and is characterized by similar nodules at the site of inoculation (Fig. 33-10). Sparganosis is best treated by surgical removal of the tapeworm.
Kimura S, Kashima M, Kawa Y, et al: A case of subcutaneous sparganosis: therapeutic assessment by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody titration using sections of the worm body obtained from the patient,
Br J Dermatol 148:369–371, 2003.
