# Case Report: Hymenolepis diminuta in an asymptomatic Ecuadorian child

## TL;DR

A 3-year-old child in Ecuador was found to have Hymenolepis diminuta eggs in their stool but showed no symptoms and was successfully treated with Albendazole.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the asymptomatic presence of H. diminuta in a child and successful treatment with Albendazole.

## Key findings

- Hymenolepis diminuta eggs were found in an asymptomatic 3-year-old child.
- The child had extremely high IgE levels but showed no symptoms.
- Albendazole treatment successfully eliminated the parasite.

## Abstract

The cestode
Hymenolepis diminuta is a cosmopolitan parasite, which in the adult stage is usually found in the small intestine of rats and accidentally in humans.

We describe the finding of eggs of this parasite in an asymptomatic 3-year-old child. The child had extremely high IgE values of 1,376 IU/ml. After receiving treatment with Albendazole suspension 400mg/20mL, on the 10th day post-treatment, he showed no
H. diminuta eggs in his fecal matter

Detailed morphological review of
Hymenolepis nana-like eggs is recommended to distinguish them from
H. diminuta eggs.