Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with tiny tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus ¹. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The two most important types of echinococcosis in humans are cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) ¹. CE is caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, a ~2–7 millimeter long tapeworm found in dogs and intermediate hosts such as sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs ¹. AE is caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, a ~1–4 millimeter long tapeworm found in foxes, coyotes, and dogs (definitive hosts) and small rodents (intermediate hosts) ¹.
The disease is widespread across the globe and is associated with livestock farming and feeding of infected offal to dogs ¹. Humans can become infected with echinococcosis by ingesting parasite eggs in contaminated food, water, or soil, or after direct contact with animal hosts ³. Poor hand hygiene, close contact with infected animals, and consumption of undercooked, unwashed food contaminated with echinococcus eggs (e.g. vegetables) are all risk factors for the disease.
A recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and management of echinococcosis ². The article provides an overview of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and management of CE and AE.
It’s important to note that echinococcosis can be fatal if not diagnosed in time. The disease can cause parasitic tumors that can form in the liver, lungs, brain, and other organs ¹. Therefore, it’s crucial to take preventive measures such as deworming dogs (definitive hosts), slaughterhouse hygiene, public education, and seeking medical attention if symptoms arise ³.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 10/22/2023
(1) The 1980 NEJM Letter That Fueled the Opioid Crisis – The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/06/nejm-letter-opioids/528840/.
(2) Case Report: Diagnosis of Human Alveolar Echinococcosis via Next …. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.666225/full.
(3) Diagnosis, treatment, and management of echinococcosis | The BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e3866.