Two cases of monkey tapeworm (Bertiella studeri) infestation from Sabaragamuwa Province

Abstract

Bertiella studeri is an anaoplocephalid tapeworm
which inhabits the small intestine. Monkey is its
natural host while intermediate hosts are certain
species of Oribatid mites which are found in
soil. Human infection can occur as a result of
accidental ingestion of infected mites, containing
the cystercercoid stage of the worm. The first case
of human infection in Sri Lanka was reported in
1976 from the central province1. Several cases
were reported from southern province and we
report the first two cases from Sabaragamuwa.

Key words: monkey tapeworm, Bertiella studeri, child, Sri Lanka

DOI = 10.4038/sljch.v35i1.7

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2006; 35: 34-5