Neglected rare human parasitic infections: Part I: Sparganosis

Some neglected parasitic larvae and worms may cause rare human infections. They are mostly zoonotic species. Sparganosisis is the infection with a plerocercoid larva of an animal diphyllobothriid cestode. The valid species incriminated in causing human sparganosis are Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, Spirometra decipiens, Spirometra mansonoides, Spirometra theileri, and the aberrant Sparganum proliferum. Other species reported to infect human in the literature are probably nonspecific. Coenuriasis is the infection with a metacestode of Taenia species, mainly T. multiceps or T. serialis. Acanthocephaliasis, on the other hand, is the infection with acanthocephalan worms. Man was reported to be infected with at least nine acanthocephalan species, among them, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus and Moniliformis moniliformis are the most common species. Hirudiniasisis is the human attack by leeches. They are temporary parasites because they attack victims only when they are hungry and drop off when they are engorged. Among all species of leeches, only true leeches especially jawed leeches are known to attack humans. These species are either freshwater or land dwellers. This review summarizes current knowledge of the public health significance of human affections by these parasites, and the recommended methods of prevention and control.