Bertiella (flatworm)

Bertiella
Bertiella studeri
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Platyhelminthes
Class:	Cestoda
Order:	Cyclophyllidea
Family:	Anoplocephalidae
Genus:	Bertiella Stiles & Hassall, 1902  [1]

Bertiella is a genus of cestode tapeworm parasites that primarily infects nonhuman primates, rodents and Australian marsupials. Infections by Bertiella are known as bertielliasis. Occasional human infections have been documented by one of two species: Bertiella studeri , or Bertiella mucronata . Bertiella transmission is through oribatid mites that are present in the soil of problem areas, and can be easily prevented by avoiding contact with nonhuman primates, rodents and soil in these areas.

Pathology

Of 29 different Bertiella species, only two can infect humans: Bertiella studeri (majority of human cases), and Bertiella mucronata. ^[2] Infected patients are usually asymptomatic. Often individuals will have no fever and show no signs of internal organ damage or distress. ^[3] Although symptoms are unique to each individual, an infected human may suffer from gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, vomit and/or constipation. ^[4]

Treatment

Albendazole is not effective in treating this condition; praziquantel is the preferred agent. ^[5]

References

1. "Genus Bertiella Stiles & Hassall, 1902". Australian Faunal Directory . Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. October 9, 2008. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
2. Szyfres, B; Acha, PN (2003). "Bertielliasis". Zoonoses and communicable diseases common to man and animals (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Pan American Health Organization. pp.  160–161. ISBN   9789275119938.
3. Lopes, VV; dos Santos, HA; Silva, AV; Fontes, G; Vieira, GL; Ferreira, AC; da Silva, ES (2015). "FIRST CASE OF HUMAN INFECTION BY Bertiella studeri (Blanchard, 1891) Stunkard, 1940 (Cestoda; Anoplocephalidae) IN BRAZIL". Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 57 (5): 447–50. doi:10.1590/S0036-46652015000500015. PMC   4660458 . PMID   26603236.
4. Lopes, VV; dos Santos, HA; Silva, AV; Fontes, G; Vieira, GL; Ferreira, AC; da Silva, ES (2015). "FIRST CASE OF HUMAN INFECTION BY Bertiella studeri (Blanchard, 1891) Stunkard, 1940 (Cestoda; Anoplocephalidae) IN BRAZIL". Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 57 (5): 447–50. doi:10.1590/S0036-46652015000500015. PMC   4660458 . PMID   26603236.
5. Furtado, Adriano P.; Batista, Evander de J. O.; Gonçalves, Evonnildo C.; Silva, Anderson M. H. O.; Melo, Francisco T. V.; Giese, Elane G.; Santos, Jeannie N.; Franco-Paredes, Carlos (26 June 2012). "Human Bertielliasis in Amazonia: Case Report and Challenging Diagnosis". PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 6 (6): e1580. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001580 . PMC   3383735 . PMID   22745837.