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Mysterious cysts: How does Echinococcus granulosus lurk in your body?
Have you ever thought that some seemingly harmless animals in your life may become hosts of deadly parasites? This question may make you curious and worried.
Echinococcus granulosus, commonly known as water cysts or dog tapeworms, is a parasite of the class Microrod. Adult E. granulosus mainly colonizes the small intestine of dogs, but its important intermediate hosts include livestock and humans, causing a serious disease called cystic echinococcosis, also known as cystic disease. The adult length of this tapeworm ranges from 3 mm to 6 mm, and has three segments in its complete state, including the immature segment, the mature segment, and the gravid segment. Each gravid segment contains an average of 823 eggs. E. granulosus has four suckers on its head and a hook-like sheath. Several mutant strains of E. granulosus have been identified, all but two of which are transmissible to humans.
"The life cycle of E. granulosus involves dogs and wild carnivores as established hosts for adult insects."
The life cycle of E. granulosus is simple yet complex, with a determined host such as a dog growing in its small intestine and releasing its eggs into the environment. These eggs are excreted in the feces. If the intermediate host, such as sheep, eats on contaminated grass, there is a chance of being infected by this parasite. Eventually, the infection returns from the intermediate host to the definitive host, for example through frequent feeding of offal foods such as "offal" or "organ meat". While the adult stage of this parasite is harmless in dogs, the presence of its larvae can cause considerable problems in humans.
Once humans are infected with E. granulosus, cysts may form, and these cysts will slowly grow in the body, eventually leading to organ dysfunction, spontaneous bone fractures, and other neurological effects. These cysts, which most commonly affect the liver, lungs, or both, may initially cause no symptoms or may persist for many years.
"Echinococcus granulosus was first recorded in Alaska, but is now distributed throughout the world."
When this parasite infects a defined host, it begins a series of transmission processes. When testing defines a host canine infection, confirmation often requires a necropsy or decontamination with certain medications. Diagnosis in humans can be done through X-rays, CAT scans and ultrasounds. According to a 2008 study, the detection rate of Echinococcus granulosus in Bangalore, India, was 4.35%.
There are various treatments for infected humans. In the past, the most common treatment was surgical removal of the cyst. However, as the fluid in the cyst may cause an allergic reaction, extreme caution is required during the procedure. In recent years, less invasive treatments have been developed, including cyst puncture and injection of chemical agents. It is worth noting that chemotherapy with benzimidazoles is also considered an emerging treatment option.
“The key to transmission from intermediate hosts to dogs lies in good slaughter management and monitoring.”
Strategies to prevent Echinococcus granulosus should start at the source. Dogs are vaccinated against deworming to prevent transmission from intermediate hosts such as sheep. However, this type of vaccine may not be able to completely prevent infection, so it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of potential intermediate hosts during the slaughter process. At the same time, maintaining distance between dogs and potential intermediate hosts such as sheep is critical to preventing infection. Mathematical models predict that a combination of vaccination against intermediate hosts and anthelmintic drug treatment of dogs will be the most effective intervention.
In some poor and remote areas, the correct handling of meat and offal after slaughter is very difficult, so dogs often have easy access to offal food from farm animals, thus promoting the circulation of Echinococcus granulosus. Boiling the liver and lungs containing the cysts of water for 30 minutes has been proposed as a simple and effective way to destroy infective larvae.
In the face of this parasite lurking around us, we should be more vigilant and look for effective preventive measures to protect ourselves and those around us. Also, are you ready to learn more about these parasites hidden in our daily lives? Is it in danger?
