Anemia with fish tapeworm

Pernicious anemia is usually caused by poor absorption of the vitamin. Absorption depends upon the intrinsic factor, a mucoprotein (or rnuco-proteins) synthesized by the stomach lining.ad 1 Pernicious anemia patients often have a genetic predilection toward decreased synthesis of the intrinsic factor. Gastrectomy, which decreases synthesis of the intrinsic factor, or infection with fish tapeworms, which compete for available vitamin B12 and interfere with absorption, can also induce the disease. Also essential are a plasma membrane receptors 1 and two blood transport proteins... 

Megaloblastic Anemias Associated with the Fish Tapeworm. 192... 

Deficiency of vitamin B, with at most a transient deficiency of folic acid, appears to be the primary deficiency not only in pernicious anemia but after total gastrectomy, in fish tapeworm megaloblastic anemia, and in vegans. There may or may not be subacute combined degeneration of the cord. 

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS. Vitamin B-12 deficiency in man may occur as a result of (1) dietary lack, which sometimes occurs among vegetarians who consume no animal foods or (2) deficiency of intrinsic factor, due to pernicious anemia, total or partial removal of the stomach by surgery, or infestation with parasites such as the fish tapeworm. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur with a parasitic infection by tapeworms. Tapeworms, which can be many meters long, can live in the gut. They can take up dietary vitamin B12, thus limiting its availability to the human host. Tapeworms can arise from the consumption of raw fish. Although raw fish is consumed in several countries, the vitamin B12 deficiency arising from tapeworm infections occurs mainly In Finland. The infection results in megaloblastic anemia as well as neurological symptoms, such as paraesthesia, decreased vibration sense, and ataxia. 

---