What specific nutrient does the adult *Diphyllobothrium* tapeworm exhibit an appetite for?
Answer
Vitamin B12
The most significant clinical impact of a long-term *Diphyllobothrium* infection stems from the adult worm's unique metabolic requirement: it actively sequesters Vitamin B12 from the host's digestive system. Because the parasite resides in the human intestine, it competes directly with the host for this essential nutrient. A sustained depletion of Vitamin B12 due to this parasitic competition can lead to serious secondary health issues, elevating the infection beyond simple digestive upset and necessitating medical intervention.
Related Questions
What genus of tapeworm is most frequently associated with freshwater fish consumption?What specific nutrient does the adult *Diphyllobothrium* tapeworm exhibit an appetite for?What type of anemia results from the long-term Vitamin B12 deficiency caused by fish tapeworm?What is the primary diagnostic tool for identifying a fish tapeworm infection?What standard medication is prescribed to eradicate the adult *Diphyllobothrium* worm?What minimum internal temperature is often cited for thoroughly cooking fish to kill the larvae?How long is freezing at -4°F (-20°C) often specified to neutralize larvae in fish intended for raw consumption?How does a human become the definitive host for the *Diphyllobothrium* parasite?What neurological symptoms might arise from the long-term Vitamin B12 deficiency caused by diphyllobothriasis?How does the clinical presentation of fish tapeworm infection contrast with infections like giardiasis?