Echinococcosis (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Echinococcosis|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Echinococcosis|here]]'''
{{CMG}} {{AE}} {{KD}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
Echinococcus is an infection caused by the Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis worm
Echinococcus is an [[infection]] caused by the [[Echinococcus granulosus]] or [[Echinococcus multilocularis]] worm
 
==What are the symptoms of Echinococcosis?==
==What are the symptoms of Echinococcosis?==
A liver cyst may produce no symptoms for 10 - 20 years until it is large enough to be felt by physical examination.
A liver cyst may produce no symptoms for 10 - 20 years until it is large enough to be felt by physical examination.
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* In the United States, the disease is very rare. However, it has been reported in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
* In the United States, the disease is very rare. However, it has been reported in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Humans become infected when they swallow eggs in contaminated food. The infection is carried to the liver, where cysts form. Cysts can also form in the:
Humans become infected when they swallow eggs in contaminated food. The infection is carried to the liver, where cysts form. Cysts can also form in the:
* Brain
* [[Brain]]
* Bones
* [[Bones]]
* Kidney
* [[Kidney]]
* Lungs
* [[Lung]]s
* Skeletal muscles
* [[Skeletal muscle]]s
* Spleen
* [[Spleen]]
 
==Who is at highest risk?==
==Who is at highest risk?==
Risk factors include being exposed to:
Risk factors include being exposed to:
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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000676.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000676.htm


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category: Infectious disease patient information]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Up-To-Date]]
[[Category:Infectious disease]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Surgery]]

Latest revision as of 21:32, 29 July 2020

Echinococcosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Echinococcosis?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Echinococcosis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Echinococcosis

Videos on Echinococcosis

FDA on Echinococcosis

CDC on Echinococcosis

Echinococcosis in the news

Blogs on Echinococcosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Echinococcosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Echinococcosis

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Echinococcus is an infection caused by the Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis worm

What are the symptoms of Echinococcosis?

A liver cyst may produce no symptoms for 10 - 20 years until it is large enough to be felt by physical examination. Symptoms include:

What causes Echinococcosis?

Echinococcus is common in:

  • Africa
  • Central Asia
  • Southern South America
  • The Mediterranean
  • The Middle East
  • In the United States, the disease is very rare. However, it has been reported in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

Humans become infected when they swallow eggs in contaminated food. The infection is carried to the liver, where cysts form. Cysts can also form in the:

Who is at highest risk?

Risk factors include being exposed to:

  • Cattle
  • Deer
  • Feces of dogs, wolves, or coyotes
  • Pigs
  • Sheep

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.

Diagnosis

A physical examination may show signs of:

The following tests may be done to find the cysts:

Treatment options

Many patients can be treated with albendazole or mebendazole. These medications are often used for up to 3 months. Another drug, praziquantel, may be helpful combined with albendazole or mebendazole.

The cysts may be removed with surgery, if possible. This can be a complicated surgery.

Where to find medical care for Echinococcosis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Echinococcosis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

If the cysts respond to oral medication, the likely outcome is good.

Possible complications

The cysts may break open (rupture) and cause severe illness, including:

Prevention

In areas where the disease is known to occur, health education and routinely removing tapeworms from dogs can help prevent the disease.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000676.htm