Case Report: Hymenolepis diminuta in an asymptomatic Ecuadorian child.

BACKGROUND

The cestode Hymenolepis diminuta is a cosmopolitan parasite, which in the adult stage is usually found in the small intestine of rats and accidentally in humans.

CASE REPORT: We describe the finding of eggs of this parasite in an asymptomatic 3-year-old child. The child had extremely high IgE values of 1,376 IU/ml. After receiving treatment with Albendazole suspension 400mg/20mL, on the 10th day post-treatment, he showed no H. diminuta eggs in his fecal matter.

CONCLUSIONS

Detailed morphological review of Hymenolepis nana-like eggs is recommended to distinguish them from H. diminuta eggs.