Echinococcosis Hydatid

Hydatid echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larvae (finns) of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Finns are localized in various organs and tissues, causing the development of cysts. The disease is characterized by a slow chronic course, a tendency to relapse and long-term carriage of the pathogen.

Echinococcosis is widespread, but is most often recorded in countries with developed livestock production. The main natural foci are located in Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. In Russia, endemic areas for echinococcosis are the Northern Caucasus, the Volga region, the Southern Urals, and Western Siberia.

The sources of invasion are carnivores, whose bodies are parasitized by mature individuals (strobili) of E. granulosus. The definitive hosts of the tapeworm are dogs, wolves, and jackals. A person becomes infected through contact with sick animals or as a result of eating berries, vegetables, and herbs contaminated with helminth eggs. Invasion can occur through water and food factors.

The disease begins with the penetration of oncospheres into the bloodstream. Migrating with the bloodstream, they linger in the liver, lungs and other organs, where fins develop from larvae. Usually one Finn is parasitized, less often there are several of them. The cyst grows slowly over many years and decades. Echinococcal blisters reach large sizes, deforming and squeezing surrounding tissues. The function of the affected organs is impaired.

Clinical manifestations are determined by the location, number, size of cysts and the stage of the process. When parasitic cysts grow slowly, there may be no symptoms for many years. When a cyst breaks into the abdominal cavity, biliary tract, or bronchi, severe complications develop.

Diagnosis is based on clinical and epidemiological data, the results of immunological tests and instrumental research methods (ultrasound, CT, MRI). Treatment is complex and includes surgical removal of cysts and drug therapy. Prevention is aimed at preventing infection of humans and animals, identifying sources of infection, and veterinary control. There is currently no vaccine against echinococcosis.