This infection occurs in temperate regions around the globe. Transmission is via the faecal-oral route.
Dwarf tapeworms have a unique life-cycle in which both the larval and adult phases occur in the same host. The adult lives for about 2 weeks in the proximal ileum and is about 2cm long. The pregnant segments of the worm are released into the faecal stream. The eggs are immediately infective and, when ingested by a new host, penetrate the intestinal villi to become cysticeroids. Larvae migrate to the ileum and mature to become adults. Note that eggs may be released before passing into the stool and auto-infection may occur.
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