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echinococcosis

Hydatid disease is caused by the larval forms of Echinococcus tapeworms. E. granulosus is the most frequent parasite, whereas E. multilocularis causes a more aggressive clinical disease.

Hydatid disease is caused by hydatid cysts:

  • Echinococcus granulosus :
    • classic form of hydatid cyst
    • affects liver, lung, kidneys, spleen, brain, musculoskeletal system, heart
  • Echinococcus multilocularis :
    • alveolar (multilocular) hydatidosis

Structural components of the hydatid cyst :

- outer acellular laminated membrane
- germinal membrane
- protoscolices, attached and budding from the membrane

Localization

- pulmonary echinococcosis (pulmonary hydatid cyst)
- hepatic echinococcosis (hepatic hydatid cyst)
- cardiac echinococcosis (cardiac hydatid cyst)