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Echinococcus is an infection caused by the Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis worm.
Alternative NamesHydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsEchinococcus is common in:
- Africa
- Central Asia
- Southern South America
- The Mediterranean
- The Middle East
In the United States, the disease is very rare. However, it has been reported in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Humans become infected when they swallow eggs in contaminated food. The infection is carried to the liver, where cysts form. Cysts can also form in the:
- Brain
- Bones
- Kidney
- Lungs
- Skeletal muscles
- Spleen
Risk factors include being exposed to:
- Cattle
- Deer
- Feces of dogs, wolves, or coyotes
- Pigs
- Sheep
A liver cyst may produce no symptoms for 10 - 20 years until it is large enough to be felt by physical examination.
Symptoms include:
- Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
- Bloody sputum
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Fever
- Severe skin itching
A physical examination may show signs of:
- Abdominal pain
- Problems with the skin and other organs
- Shock
The following tests may be done to find the cysts:
- Abdominal CT scan or ultrasound
- Abdominal X-ray
- Blood test
- Chest x-ray
- Liver function tests
- Thoracic CTscan or ultrasound
Most often, echinococcosis is found accidentally when an imaging test is done for another reason.
TreatmentMany patients can be treated with albendazole or mebendazole. These medications are often used for up to 3 months. Another drug, praziquantel, may be helpful combined with albendazole or mebendazole.
The cysts may be removed with surgery, if possible. This can be a complicated surgery.
Expectations (prognosis)If the cysts respond to oral medication, the likely outcome is good.
ComplicationsThe cysts may break open (rupture) and cause severe illness, including:
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Shock
The cysts may also spread throughout the body.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.
PreventionIn areas where the disease is known to occur, health education and routinely removing tapeworms from dogs can help prevent the disease.
ReferencesCraig PS, McManus DP, Lightowlers MW, Chabalgoity JA, Garcia HH, Gavidia CM, et al. Prevention and control of cystic echinococcosis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007;7:385-394.
What else can I help you with?
What Parasitic creature starts with E?
Echinococcosis - tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis
What parasite group is Toxocara in?
eCHINOCOCCUS
How is echinococcus diagnosed?
CT Scans - MRI Scans
What is Hydatid disease?
Hydatid disease refers to human infection by the immature (larval) form of tapeworm, Echinococcus
Echinococcus infects humans how?
Echinococcus is ingested by a human through contact with an infected animal that contains eggs. These eggs mature in the small intestine of a human and lay eggs that migrate throughout the circulatory system. After this migration, these eggs forms cysts in major organs such as the liver, lung, or brains.
What is the most amount of testicles an animal can have?
The most amount of testicles an animal can have is eight. This is observed in the tapeworm known as Echinococcus multilocularis.
What is the scientific name for a dog tapeworm?
Dogs can become infected with several different species of tapeworm. As a Class the tapeworms are known as "Cestoda". Generally classification doesn't get much beyond this but the sub-class Eucestoda, Order Cyclophyllidea, Family Taeniidaecontains the genus Echinococcus which contains a number of relevent species. Cestota--> Eucestoda--> Cyclophyllidea--> Mesocestoididae have also been found.
What is ekinokok of he-par?
"Ekinokok" refers to echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The term "he-par" likely refers to a specific type or aspect of this infection, possibly related to its effects on the liver (hepatitis) or a related medical term. Echinococcosis primarily affects humans through the ingestion of eggs from contaminated food or water, leading to the formation of cysts in organs, particularly the liver and lungs. Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial to manage this infection effectively.
Where do tapeworms live?
In the small intestine. Different animals are infected by different species of tapeworm, here are some examples: Humans - Taenia saginata, Taenia solium Dogs - Taenia serialis, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia ovis, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia multiceps, Dipylidium caninum (probably most common), Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis. Cats - Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum Horses - Anoplocephala perfoliata Ruminants - Monizia expansa
What are the general characteristics of 'Cestoda'?
Cestoda (Cestoidea) is the name given to a class of parasitic flatworms, commonly called tapeworms, of the phylum Platyhelminthes. Its members live in the digestive tract of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of various animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species can be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm. Several species parasitise humans after being consumed in under-cooked meat such as pork (T. solium), beef (T. saginata), fish (Diphyllobothrium spp.), or in food prepared in conditions of poor hygiene (Hymenolepis spp. or Echinococcus spp.).T. saginata, the beef tapeworm, can grow up to 12 m (40 ft); other species may grow to over 30 m (100 ft).[1]
Cyst?
DefinitionA cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.ConsiderationsCysts may form within any tissue in the body. Cysts within the lung generally are air-filled, while cysts involving the lymph system or kidneys are fluid-filled. Certain parasites, such as trichinosis, dog tapeworm (Toxocara canis), and echinococcus, can form cysts within the muscles, liver, brain, lungs, and eyes.Cysts are common on the skin. They develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands, or around foreign materials.See also: Pilonidal dimple
What kind of long crawly looking thing would come out of a dog's skin and surface in the hair?
Without more info, my first thought was a Tick. Absolutely disgusting things but they are not, in my mind anyway, LONG. Round and fat, gray in color, they kinda look like a sick pea ( light grey instead of green ) I would catch the thing, put it in a bottle or jar and take it to the vet! With out more details,and assuming that this is perhaps some type of insect larva imbedded into the skin from fly's or wasps. If it is a whiteish colored it is some type of larva. Maybe some kind of worm, perhaps maybe a tapeworm, hookworm or another parasite, I wouldn't touch it directly if I were you. i.e: Hookworms (Uncinaria, Ancylostoma spp.) can infect our pets at any age but are particularly life-threatening to the very young. Hookworms latch onto the intestinal wall and live on blood, contributing to signs of anemia, weakness, wasting and bloody diarrhea. The nursing young may die due to blood loss and shock with heavy infections. Natural infections occur through eating contaminated soil, or by infective larvae burrowing into the skin of the paw, or through the milk of an infected mother. Human infection may occur when the larvae in contaminated soil penetrate the skin. "Cutaneous Larva Migrans" or "Creeping Eruption" is extremely irritating. Whipworm infection (Trichuriasis) is contracted by direct ingestion of eggs in contaminated food or soil. All ages may be easily affected with the cardinal signs being poor condition or performance. Whipworm eggs are remarkably durable and although they may take up to eight weeks to reach the infective stage, they can resist freezing and remain alive in the environment for years. Adult tapeworms (Dipylidium, Taenia, Echinococcus spp.) are found anchored to the wall of the small intestine by hooks or suckers. These parasites use an intermediate host (a "middleman") for part of its development. The final host (cat) then eats the contaminated prey and the tapeworm then is able to complete its life cycle. With Dipylidium spp., cats become infected when they ingest fleas or biting lice carrying the larval form of the tapeworm. This tapeworm requires only two to three weeks to develop to an adult so unless fleas and lice are quickly brought under control, re-infection occurs rapidly. Taenia spp. use a variety of small rodents and rabbits as their intermediate hosts. Cats become infected when they hunt these vertebrates. Animals do not develop resistance to tapeworms and are readily reinfected. The worms shed segments intermittently and may be found in the feces, in the fur or even on furniture, carpets, or clothing. Although rare in North America, Echinococcus tapeworms can infect humans and cause a variety of chronic and debilitating diseases. Hope this helps.
