- Infection with the tapeworm Echinococcus larvae
- Endemic worldwide in sheep raising areas
- Produces expanding cysts (grow at 1-5 cm per year)
- Sites of involvement
- Liver (most common)
- Lung (second most common)
- Kidney
- Muscle
- Spleen
- Brain
- Bone
- Transmission
- Definitive Host: Dogs and other carnivores
- Intermediate host: Human, Sheep, Cattle
- Infections in Human by ingestion of ova
- symptoms
- Asymptomatic in 60% of cases (for 10-20 years)
- Cough
- Abdominal mass
- Hemoptysis
- Chest Pain
- Complications
- Cyst rupture
- Anaphylactic reaction
- Pyopneumothorax
- Mediastinal erosion
- Management
- Surgical excision of cysts
- Anti-Helminth agents (used concurrently with surgery)
- Albendazole (Albenza)
- Mebendazole (Vermox)
- Education program in endemic areas
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before ingestion
- Avoid water potentially contaminated by dog feces
- Hand Washing after soil exposure
- Treat dogs frequently with worming formulations
- Avoid feeding dogs the entrails of livestock
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