Echinococcosis
What is it?
The disease also known as hydatid disease, the causative agents of which are parasites, the host of which is a dog. A person can become infected by ingesting food contaminated with dog feces: the parasite, once in the human intestine, reaches the liver, where it causes spherical formations filled with fluid (cysts) that can increase in size for many years without causing serious symptoms.
How is it diagnosed?
Usually, cysts are detected by ultrasound scanning or computed tomography, performed for other reasons. Diagnostic confirmation is usually obtained by searching for specific antibodies (anti-echinococcal antibodies), using a simple blood test.
Cysts that have been present for a long time can undergo calcification and thus be visible even on a simple X-ray. The disease, although rare, can spread to the lungs and to the brain.
Suggested exams
Where do we treat it?
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