Serum Vitamin B12Levels and Incidence of Tapeworm Anemia in a Population Heavily Infected with Diphyllobothrium Latum

Diphyllobothrium pacificum Infection is Seldom Associated with Megaloblastic Anemia

“…Conversely, D. latum is frequently associated with low vitamin B12 levels. 13 The difference in worm size (and thus increased competition with the host for nutrients, including vitamin B2 and folic acid) and other factors such as dietary profile might contribute to the absence of megaloblastic anemia in our study. …”

“…[1][2][3][4] Clinically evident megaloblastic anemia is found in 2-3% of persons harboring a D. latum tapeworm, and 50% of D. latum carriers have low levels of serum vitamin B12 levels ( 100 pg/mL compared with 350-450 pg/mL in noninfected persons). 13 In Pacific coast regions of South America, diphyllobothriasis is usually caused by D. pacificum, which is a shorter tapeworm (approximately 1 meter in length), but can have a length of 4 meters on rare occasions.…”

“…1,2,[10][11][12][13] In Nordic countries, megaloblastic anemia secondary to dyphillobothriasis has been reported. 13 In these cases, oral or parenteral vitamin B12 administration after parasite expulsion brings levels back to reference range.…”

“…1,2,[10][11][12][13] In Nordic countries, megaloblastic anemia secondary to dyphillobothriasis has been reported. 13 In these cases, oral or parenteral vitamin B12 administration after parasite expulsion brings levels back to reference range. 13 Diphyllobothrium pacificum infection (Nybellin 1931, Margolis 1956 15 is endemic to the Pacific coasts of South America and southern Asia, 1,6 and is the only type of diphyllobothriasis described in Peru to date.…”

“…13 In these cases, oral or parenteral vitamin B12 administration after parasite expulsion brings levels back to reference range. 13 Diphyllobothrium pacificum infection (Nybellin 1931, Margolis 1956 15 is endemic to the Pacific coasts of South America and southern Asia, 1,6 and is the only type of diphyllobothriasis described in Peru to date. It was present before the European colonization, as demonstrated by the finding of characteristic eggs in pre-Hispanic mummies.…”