A housewife from the Great Lakes area presents to her family physician with fatigue and malaise. Blood tests show that she has enlarged but pale RBCs (megaloblastic anemia) along with a vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Her history includes a dietary habit of making pickled fish, a family favorite. Because of this, an ova and parasites examination is also requested and reveals the following at 400$\times$. What is the identity of this parasite?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The image shows Diphyllobothrium latum, commonly known as the fish tapeworm. The patient's history of consuming pickled fish makes this a likely explanation for the anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Taenia saginata and Taenia solium are beef and pork tapeworms, respectively, and Hymenolepis nana is dwarf tapeworm, which typically does not cause megaloblastic anemia.

A Housewife from the Great Lakes Area Presents to Her ×\times×

A Housewife from the Great Lakes Area Presents to Her $\times$