ABSTRACT
This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by Hymenolepis in relation to their etiology, biology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The genus Hymenolepis covers a large number of cyclophyllid cestode species that mainly affect rodents and other mammals, including human-infecting Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta. Hymenolepis diminuta (commonly known as rat tapeworm) is a zoonotic intestinal tapeworm of rodents and humans, whose life cycle involves an intermediate host (usually arthropods). Cellular immunity appears to play a critical role in host anti-Hymenolepis response as athymic nude mice fail to build up immunity against the cestode. Drugs for treating Hymenolepis infection include praziquantel, niclosamide, nitazoxanide, and benzimidazoles. In particular, polymerase chain reaction amplification together with sequencing analysis offers a valuable tool for rapid identification and epidemiological tracking of Hymenolepis species, and facilitates timely implementation of control measures against hymenolepiasis in human populations.
