Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Hydatid Disease

Echinococcosis or hydatid disease is caused by larvae of Echinococcus. In the life cycle of E. granulosus, humans sometimes become accidental intermediate hosts. Humans can orally take up the E. granulosus eggs from infected carnivore excretions by handling the animals or egg-containing feces, plants, eating vegetables, uncooked fruits, and drinking water with the eggs. The hydatid disease is endemic in some Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, the South America, the South Africa and Oceania. Hydatid disease is seen in subjects of any age and sex. The combination of imaging and serology usually enables diagnosis. Clinical management of hepatic cysts includes albendazole or mebendazole therapy in combination with either surgical resection or the PAIR procedure.