Which parasite is commonly referred to as a flea tapeworm?

• A. Diphyllobothrium latum
• B. Taenia pisiformis
• C. Dipylidium caninum
• D. Echinococcus granulosus

Answer: (C)

Flea tapeworm describes a tapeworm whose development relies on a flea as the intermediate host. Dipylidium caninum is the classic flea-associated tapeworm in dogs and cats: fleas ingest tapeworm eggs shed in the animal’s feces, the tapeworm larva develops inside the flea, and when a pet ingests an infected flea, the adult worm establishes in the intestine. The name comes from this flea-based transmission route. In contrast, Diphyllobothrium latum is the fish tapeworm, Taenia pisiformis uses rabbits as an intermediate host, and Echinococcus granulosus forms hydatid cysts in intermediate hosts without involving fleas. So the flea-based life cycle points to Dipylidium caninum as the flea tapeworm.