Versteria in a cestode primarily seen in animals. Rarely the tapeworm may infect humans.
Hosts of Versteria mustelae: weasels, ermine, mink and other mustelids
Risk factors for infection:
(1) contact with wild animals
(2) immunodeficiency or immunosuppression
Clinical features:
(1) fever
(2) cough
(3) abdominal pain
(4) nodular lesions in internal organs, which may be disseminated
Biopsy of a nodule shows necrotizing granulomas containing hooklets and protoscolex
The larval form is termed metacestode.
Definitive diagnosis may require PCR. This is performed after excluding more common cestodes.
