Echinococcus

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Echinococcus / (Redirected from Echinococcosis)

Background

Microbiology

Epidemiology

Species Intermediate Hosts Definitive Hosts Distribution Risk Factors
Echinococcus granulosus sheep, cattle, pigs, camels, and goats dogs and other canids worldwide, with highest prevalence in Mediterranean, Russia, China, central Asia, north and east Africa, Australia, and South America shepherds, exposure to feral dogs, slaughterhouse, unsanitary living conditions
Echinococcus multilocularis rodents, domestic pigs, wild boars, dogs, monkeys foxes, dogs, cars mostly described in Europe and Asia, rare in North America
Echinococcus vogeli rodents bush dogs Central and South America
Echinococcus oligarthus Central and South America

Clinical Manifestations

  • Any many present asymptomatically
  • Rarely present with anaphylaxis from cyst rupture

Cystic Echinococcus

  • Liver is the most common site (60%), followed by lung (20-30%)
  • Can infect other sites including brain (10%)
  • Can cause anaphylaxis when ruptures
  • Can cause cholangitis

Alveolar Echinococcus

  • Presents as liver cancer or metastases of unknown primary
  • Liver involvement is present in 95% of cases

Diagnosis

  • Generally made with ultrasound, possibly with MRI
  • Serology can be helpful, but not necessarily that sensitive or specific
  • Aspiration may be considered, but there is a risk of allergic reaction and a risk of secondary recurrence from leakages of hydatid fluid or protoscolices