Echinococcosis classification
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[3]
Overview
Classification
Cystic echinocccosis
Cystic echinocccosis (CE), also known as hydatid disease, is caused by an infection with Echinococcus granulosus, an ~2-7 millimeter long tapeworm found most commonly in dogs (definitive host), in addition to sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs (intermediate hosts). Although most infections in humans are asymptomatic, CE causes harmful, slowly enlarging cysts in the liver, lungs, and other organs that often grow unnoticed and neglected for years.
Alveolar echinococcosis
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) disease is caused by an infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, an ~1-4 millimeter long tapeworm found in foxes, coyotes, and dogs (definitive hosts). Although cases of AE in animals in endemic areas are relatively common, human cases are rare. AE poses a much greater health threat to people than CE, causing parasitic tumors to form in the liver, lungs, brain, and other organs. If left untreated, AE can be fatal.
External Link
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/echinococcosis/