Sparganosis is an infection caused by the larva of spirometra tapeworm.  The spirometra tape worm is a type of diphyllobothroid order of cestodes.  Other names for sparganosis are: creepers, creeping tumors.

In 1882, Sparganosis was first identified in China by Patrick Manson, a Scottish physician.  Not much is know regarding the history of this infection, but it is still present today all around the world.





Above photo: living plerocercoid removed from human patient