Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease; Alveolar cyst disease; Polycystic echinococcosis
Echinococcosis is an infection caused by either the Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm. The infection is also called hydatid disease.
Humans become infected when they swallow the tapeworm eggs in contaminated food. The eggs then form cysts inside the body. A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch. The cysts keep growing, which leads to symptoms.
E granulosus is an infection caused by tapeworms found in dogs, and livestock such as sheep, pigs, goats, and cattle. These tapeworms are around 2 to 7 mm long. The infection is called cystic echinococcosis (CE). It leads to growth of cysts mainly in the lungs and liver. Cysts can also be found in the heart, bones, and brain.
E multilocularis is the infection caused by tapeworms found in dogs, cats, rodents, and foxes. These tapeworms are around 1 to 4 mm long. The infection is called alveolar echinococcosis (AE). It is a life-threatening condition because tumor-like growths form in the liver. Other organs, such as the lungs and brain can be affected.
Children or young adults are more prone to get the infection.
Echinococcosis is common in:
In rare cases, the infection is seen in the United States. It has been reported in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Risk factors include being exposed to:
Cysts may produce no symptoms for 10 years or more.
As the disease advances and the cysts get larger, symptoms may include:
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms.
If the provider suspects CE or AE, tests that may be done to find the cysts include:
Most often, echinococcosis cysts are found when an imaging test is done for another reason.
Many people can be treated with anti-worm medicines.
A procedure that involves inserting a needle through the skin into the cyst may be tried. The contents of the cyst is removed (aspirated) through the needle. Then medicine is sent through the needle to kill the tapeworm. This treatment is not for cysts in the lungs.
Surgery is the treatment of choice for cysts that are large, infected, or located in organs, such as the heart and brain.
If the cysts respond to oral medicines, the likely outcome is good.
Call your provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.
Measures to prevent CE and AE include:
Bogitsh BJ, Carter CE, Oeltmann TN. General characteristics of the cestoidea. In: Bogitsh BJ, Carter CE, Oeltmann TN, eds. Human Parasitology. 5th ed. London, UK: Elsevier Academic Press; 2019:chap 12.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. Parasites - echinococcosis. www.cdc.gov/parasites/echinococcosis/treatment.html. Updated December 12, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2018.
Gottstein B, Beldi G. Echinococcosis. In: Cohen J, Powderly WG, Opal SM, eds. Infectious Diseases. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 120.BACK TO TOP
Review Date: 8/5/2018
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2021 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.