Case #340 – January, 2013
The DPDx Team received a pair of proglottids from a state health lab for cestode confirmation and identification. The specimens were submitted in 70% ethanol and measured on average 12.0 mm long by 3.0 mm wide. The proglottids were reportedly found in the feces of a 43-year-old woman with no documented international travel. Figures A and B show one of the proglottids. Figures C and D show the same proglottid after soaking in lactophenol for several hours. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
Images presented in the DPDx case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.