Clinical Features:
Hymenolepis nana and H. diminuta infections are most often asymptomatic.  Heavy infections with H. nana can cause weakness, headaches, anorexia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Laboratory Diagnosis:
The diagnosis depends on the demonstration of eggs in stool specimens.  Concentration techniques and repeated examinations will increase the likelihood of detecting light infections.

Diagnostic findings

• Microscopy
• Macroscopic (gross) observations
• Morphologic comparison with other intestinal parasites

Treatment:
Praziquantel* is the drug of choice.  For additional information, see the recommendations in The Medical Letter (Drugs for Parasitic Infections).

* This drug is approved by the FDA, but considered investigational for this purpose.