Hymenolepis diminuta can cause intestinal infection.

Hymenolepis diminuta, the rat tapeworm, has a life cycle similar to the indirect cycle of H. nana, involving grain insects (see Cestodes (Tapeworms): Hymenolepis Nana Infection). H. diminuta rarely infects humans but can cause mild diarrhea.

Diagnosis is by finding characteristic eggs in stool.

Infection is effectively treated with praziquantel 25 mg/kg po once.

Last full review/revision December 2009 by Richard D. Pearson, MD