Cystic echinococcosis

Definition

A rare parasitic disease characterized by slowly enlarging cysts of the liver, lungs and other organs which often go unnoticed for years. They are caused principally by the larval form (also called metacestode) of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato tapeworm. The adult form of this tapeworm parasitizes the intestine of dogs. Cystic echinococcosis (formerly hydatidosis) generally affects large domestic herbivores and humans are dead-end hosts, infected through contact with herding dogs or through ingestion of food contaminated with canine excrement.