Echinococcus
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Definition
Echinococcus is an infection caused by the Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis worm.
Alternative Names
Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Echinococcus 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
References
King CH, Fairley JK. Cestodes (Tapeworms).In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 29.
Review Date: 7/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease
Symptoms
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
- Severe skin itching
Signs and tests
A physical examination may show signs of:
The following tests may be done to find the cysts:
Most often, echinococcosis is found when an imaging test is done for another reason.
References
King CH, Fairley JK. Cestodes (Tapeworms).In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 29.
Review Date: 7/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease
Treatment
Many 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.
Complications
The 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 provider
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.
References
King CH, Fairley JK. Cestodes (Tapeworms).In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 29.
Review Date: 7/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease
Prevention
In areas where the disease is known to occur, health education and routinely removing tapeworms from dogs can help prevent the disease.
References
King CH, Fairley JK. Cestodes (Tapeworms).In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 29.
Review Date: 7/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: 7/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.