HYDATID LIVER DISEASE

Hydatid disease (hydatidosis or echinococcosis) is a potentially serious, at times lethal disease caused by cysts containingthe larval stages of the Echinococcus granulosus (E.granulosus) tapeworm (dog Tapeworm).Adult E. granulosus tapeworms infect dogs and other canine animals and then these tapeworm eggs are shed in fecesof these infected animals. People become infected by ingesting these eggs. This can occur via hand-to-mouth transferafter handling dogs or objects contaminated with the eggs, or from consuming contaminated food or water.The larval form of the tapeworm may lodge in various body sites where they form a fluid-filled sac known as hydatidcyst. These cysts contain immature forms of the tapeworm and can increase in size from 5–10 cm or more over a periodof time. While some cysts may die, others can remain alive for many years. Cysts also contain ‘daughter cysts’ which,if released, may spread to other areas of the body.