Abstract
Using both traditional methods and broad-range 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) polymerase chain reaction, we examined 2 cases of lethal cestodiasis, in which the disease agent had been poorly identified or misidentified. In one case, involving a patient with AIDS, we identified the human dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepis nana, as a cause of aberrant metastatic larval disease. In the second case with similar pathologic abnormalities, involving a patient with Hodgkin disease, we identified a larval cestode with a previously uncharacterized 18S rDNA sequence. A prior report of this case nearly 30 years ago, based on tissue examination, had suggested that the parasite was a sparganum.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / parasitology
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Animals
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Cestoda / genetics
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Cestoda / isolation & purification
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Cestode Infections / complications*
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Cestode Infections / immunology*
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DNA, Ribosomal / analysis
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Fatal Outcome
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Hodgkin Disease / complications*
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Hodgkin Disease / immunology*
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Hodgkin Disease / parasitology
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Humans
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Male
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Opportunistic Infections / complications
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Opportunistic Infections / immunology
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Opportunistic Infections / parasitology
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Phylogeny
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RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / analysis
Substances
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DNA, Ribosomal
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RNA, Ribosomal, 18S