🦠 Echinococcosis – Overview
Echinococcosis (also called hydatid disease) is a parasitic disease caused by infection with the larvae of Echinococcus tapeworms. It primarily affects the liver and lungs, but can also involve other organs.
🧬 Causes
- Caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus tapeworms, mainly:
- Echinococcus granulosus → causes Cystic echinococcosis (CE)
- Echinococcus multilocularis → causes Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) (more severe)
- Echinococcus vogeli / E. oligarthrus → cause Polycystic echinococcosis (rare)
Humans are accidental hosts, infected by:
- Swallowing eggs from contaminated food, water, or direct contact with dogs (main carriers)
🧫 Types of Echinococcosis
| Type | Causative Agent | Main Organs Affected | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cystic echinococcosis (CE) | E. granulosus | Liver, lungs | Slow-growing cysts, treatable |
| Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) | E. multilocularis | Liver (can spread) | Highly invasive, life-threatening |
| Polycystic echinococcosis | E. vogeli / E. oligarthrus | Liver, abdominal organs | Rare, severe if untreated |
⚠️ Symptoms
Often develop slowly over years:
Cystic Echinococcosis (CE)
- Abdominal pain or swelling (if liver is affected)
- Chest pain, cough (if lungs are involved)
- Cysts can rupture → allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
Alveolar Echinococcosis (AE)
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Liver failure (if untreated)
- Mimics liver cancer due to its aggressive growth
🧪 Diagnosis
- Imaging: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to detect cysts
- Serologic tests: To detect Echinococcus antibodies
- Biopsy: Sometimes needed to confirm diagnosis (carefully, to avoid spreading cyst fluid)
💊 Treatment
Cystic Echinococcosis:
- Surgery: To remove cysts (if accessible and safe)
- PAIR: Puncture, Aspiration, Injection of scolicidal agent, and Re-aspiration
- Antiparasitic medication: Albendazole (long term)
Alveolar Echinococcosis:
- Long-term antiparasitic therapy (albendazole, often lifelong)
- Surgery: If detected early and operable
- Liver transplant: In advanced cases
🛡️ Prevention
- Deworm dogs regularly (especially in livestock areas)
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling animals
- Avoid feeding raw meat/offal to dogs
- Drink clean, safe water
- Educate communities in endemic areas
🌍 Geographic Distribution
- CE: Common in rural areas where sheep and dogs are raised (e.g., parts of Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Central Asia)
- AE: Found mostly in parts of Europe, China, Russia, and North America