Introduction
The dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus lives in the small intestine and sheds its ova into the stool. Dogs that live in areas where sheep are raised, especially if they are fed offal, are at risk for contracting the disease. If the climate is right, these ovaries can live for up to a year. The ova, which hatch in the small intestine into oncospheres that penetrate the bowel wall, can be consumed by humans. Therefore, humans will serve as a stopover host. These oncospheres typically reach the liver (60 percent), occasionally the lung (25 percent), and other organs (15 percent).
Anaphylaxis and catastrophic disease can result from a ruptured hydatid cyst. To aid in the diagnosis, there are some serologic tests available. However, a liver cyst's presence of septation, which suggests daughter cysts, is considered diagnostic. Surgery is part of this disease's treatment. Although there is a possibility of spillage and complications, some suggest aspiration is acceptable. Scolicidal drugs like albendazole and mebendazole are still used as supplements.
What Is Human Echinococcus Infection?
Human echinococcosis is a parasitic disease brought on by Echinococcus tapeworms, a zoonotic disease spread from animals to humans. There are four kinds of echinococcosis:
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Cystic echinococcosis, also named hydatid disease or hydatidosis, is caused due to infection with an Echinococcus granulosus-centered species complex.
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Alveolar echinococcosis caused due to E. multilocularis infection;
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Neotropical echinococcosis can occur in two forms: polycystic due to E. vogeli infection; and E. oligarchs-caused unicystic.
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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are the most effective forms with human medical and public health implications.
What Causes Echinococcus Granulosus Infection?
Echinococcus will grow on people if a parasitic tapeworm infects them. The host, typically a dog, sheep, or goat, is where the parasite enters. The worm lays eggs in the animal's feces and lives in its intestines. Therefore, consuming food contaminated with animal feces increases the infection risk. The incubation period typically lasts several months after eating food that has been contaminated, and this indicates that symptoms take some time to appear. In addition, for certain strains, the parasite's incubation period can be extended by several years.
What Are the Symptoms of Echinococcus Granulosus Infection?
The affected organs will have different effects on how people feel. 75 % of people who get the infection end up with damage to their liver. The liver may develop cysts, and people may feel pain in their abdomen. About 22 % of people who get the infection get it in their lungs. Coughing up bloody mucus and experiencing chest pain are examples of respiratory symptoms. Skin, spleen, or kidneys, among other parts of the body, may also be affected.
How to Prevent Echinococcus Granulosus Infection?
People can take several preventative measures against Echinococcus infections. Education can be beneficial in areas where the parasite is prevalent. Dog worm removal can aid in stopping the spread of infection. In addition, tapeworm eggs can be avoided by correctly disposing of animal feces. At both farms and slaughterhouses, cattle must also be handled properly. This includes enforcing procedures for meat inspection. Avoid Echinococcus by avoiding raw or undercooked beef, pork, and fish. Fruits and vegetables should be washed, especially where tapeworms are common.
Cystic echinococcosis can be controlled by stopping the parasite from spreading. Two preventative measures are limiting dog-friendly areas and preventing animals from eating cyst-infected meat.
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Prevent dogs from consuming infected sheep carcasses.
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Control the number of stray dogs.
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Stop allowing sheep and other livestock to be killed at home.
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Avoid eating or drinking anything that dog feces may have tainted.
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Before handling food or dogs, wash the hands with soap and warm water.
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Prevent infection by teaching children to wash their hands.
It is possible to prevent alveolar echinococcosis by limiting interactions between dogs and rodent populations and avoiding contact with the feces of wild animals like foxes, coyotes, and dogs.
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Do not permit dogs to consume wild rodents and other animals.
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Stay away from wild animals like foxes, coyotes, and lost dogs.
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Stay away from wild animals and not allow them to be kept as pets.
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Before handling food and after handling dogs or cats, wash the hands with soap and warm water.
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Prevent infection by teaching children to wash their hands.
Who Might Get Echinococcus?
Exposure to the feces of dogs, cattle, pigs, or sheep is one factor that increases the likelihood of contracting the parasite. For instance, people may be at greater risk if they work with these animals on a farm. The infection has been seen in some people in the United States, but the risk is higher in places where the parasite is more prevalent. Consuming food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs is another risk factor.
How to Diagnose Echinococcus?
A doctor may inquire about the symptoms and conduct medical tests to diagnose echinococcus infection. A chest X-ray, for instance, might be used to rule out other kinds of infections. The doctor may also use an abdominal MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) imaging to make a diagnosis. However, Echinococcus parasites may be found while the doctor is doing other medical tests because of the long incubation period.
How Does Echinococcus Get Treated?
Some drugs can destroy the parasite. The doctor may also suggest surgery in some cases. The severity of the symptoms and the affected organs will play a role in determining the specific treatment plan people should follow.
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Medication - Almost always, Echinococcus is treated with medication. Mebendazole or albendazole, for instance, may be prescribed by the physician. They may also suggest taking anti-inflammatory medication to treat the parasite-caused organ inflammation. In addition, organ cysts caused by the parasite can sometimes be treated with chemotherapy drugs.
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Surgery - In some cases, the doctor may recommend surgery to treat the infection-caused cysts. The doctor may also recommend surgery to install a shunt if the infection has affected the brain and fluid has accumulated there. The purpose of this device is to remove fluid from the brain.
Conclusion
A parasitic tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus brings on an infection known as Echinococcus. Echinococcus can be spread to humans by a few different types of tapeworm, including E. vogeli, E. multilocularis, and granulosus. The organs affected may vary depending on the type of tapeworm that caused the infection. In the United States, the infection is uncommon. It occurs more frequently in Central Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It can be fatal if left untreated. However, the prognosis could improve with treatment.
