Echinococcus – a tapeworm in the North West Group

In recent days, several publications have concerns of a tapeworm, which has found in two thirds of the wolf carcass reported in Idaho. Similar prevalence was observed in other states like Montana. There was concern about the potential for infection in humans.

What Echinococcus?

Echinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm relatively small (3-6 mm) in length, which in dogs and other canids, wolves can be found, for example. Man is accidentally infected with the connectionDogs.

Where is this parasite is found?

It can be found wherever there is a close association with infected dogs. And 'more common in cattle breeding, in which dogs are infected if they eat raw, contaminated bodies of sheep, cattle and pigs. In the United States on human echinococcosis in sheep in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, has been found. Sheep and other intermediate hosts are infected when feces contaminated the pasture with a dog or a wolfcontaining infected eggs. Infective eggs survive in the wild can take up to one year for the environment.

What is the disease in humans?

Many infections in men are asymptomatic. E. granulosus hydatid cysts produce growth of up to 15 cm or more is possible. Sometimes they die or calcified cysts cause little or no disease. However, the cysts can be found in almost every organ as a mass (liver and lung are most common). Some of the complicationsare with the cyst when they break, compression or infected. The leakage or rupture of cysts can cause severe anaphylactic reactions and release small "tapeworm heads," as protoscolices can lead to secondary infections and metastasis throughout the body known.

How Echinococcus diagnosed?

It is based on signs and symptoms of a slow tumor growth associated with residence in an endemic area are based. Ultrasound, CT and serological tests may be useful inDiagnosis.

How Echinococcosis or hydatid disease treated?

Treatment depends on the size, location and health of patients. Surgery is the method of choice for cysts removed. There is a risk of the operation, but with possible loss of the cyst as the most important. Anti-parasitic drugs can be used to prevent secondary infections. There is now a method of disposal for the treatment of cysts in the abdomen, where the fluid is extracted from the cysts and then treated with a drug"kill tapeworm heads", so that the aspiration of the fluid

How can I prevent that is infected?

Techniques of basic hygiene of washing hands and avoiding the intake of raw vegetables and water contaminated with feces of infected dogs. Hunters should) gloves when handling canines (wolves and coyotes, or their droppings. You can also prevent the cycle, leaving no room for the dogs access to infected offal. Periodic treatment of dogs with a high risk is highly recommended.

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