Echinococcus

Question 1

Name the two species

Answer 1

E. granulosus (worldwide)
E. multilocularis (NA, Europe, Siberia and China)

Question 2

Structure (adults and eggs)

Answer 2

<1cm long
scolex present
neck
3-5 proglottids

Question 3

Lifecycle ?

Answer 3

maintained in wildlife
1. egg in faeces
2. oncosphere hatches and penetrates intestinal wall
3. hyatid cyst in liver, lungs, etc…
4. protoscolex from cyst, attaches to intestine
5. adult in SI

Question 4

final hosts ?

Answer 4

wild canids (foxes, coyotes, wolves, …)

Question 5

intermediate hosts ?

Answer 5

rodents commoly, like voles

Question 6

humans are what kind of host ?

Answer 6

accidental intermediate.

Question 7

E. granulosus disease

Answer 7

hyatid cysts in liver/lung/…
decreased productivity and economic impactsE.

Question 8

E. multilocularis disease in animals ?

Answer 8

multilocular cysts in the liver, leading to diffuse growth. growth is invasive and spreads either locally or systemically

Question 9

Diagnosis ?

Answer 9

eggs are difficult to see in faeces and look the same as other taeniid species
copro-antigen ELISA and copro-PCR

Question 10

Treatment ?

Answer 10

praziquantel in canines
oxfendazole preventative treatment of intermediate hosts

Question 11

Control

Answer 11

regular treatment of dogs in endemic areas
deworming frequency dependent on hunting / feeding habits
meat inspection in abattoirs
prevention of access to carcasses
vaccine for sheep in SA !