Dipylidium caninum in the twenty-first century: epidemiological studies and reported cases in companion animals and humans

Background Dipilidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum . Fleas and, less frequently, lice act as an intermediate host, and their ingestion is required for infection to occur. While the disease mainly affects domestic and wild carnivores, it is also considered a zoonotic disease, with most human cases reported in children. Dipylidium caninum is considered to be the most common tapeworm infesting companion...