How does a human become the definitive host for the *Diphyllobothrium* parasite?
Answer
Ingesting infected fish tissue containing larvae
The lifecycle progression of the *Diphyllobothrium* tapeworm requires humans to serve as the definitive host, which is achieved through a specific dietary action. Infection is established when an individual consumes raw or inadequately prepared flesh of an intermediate host, specifically freshwater fish species like pike or perch, that harbor the parasitic larval stages. Upon ingestion, these larvae mature into the adult tapeworm within the human small intestine, completing the required developmental stage necessary for the parasite to reproduce and shed eggs.
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