Human pathology

Home page > D. Systemic pathology > Infectious diseases > echinococcosis

echinococcosis

Image Gallery

hydatid cyst (echinococcosis) hydatid cyst : laminated and germinal membranes, with protoscolices hydatid cyst : laminated membrane hydatid cyst : protoscolex and hooklets hydatid cyst : protoscolex with refractile hooklets Hydatid cysts in pulmonary echinococcosis Hydatid cysts in pulmonary echinococcosis
hydatid disease

Hydatid disease is caused by the larval forms of Echinococcus tapeworms. E. granulosus is the most frequent parasite, whereas E. multilocularis causes a more aggressive clinical disease.

Hydatid disease is caused by hydatid cysts:

  • Echinococcus granulosus :
    • classic form of hydatid cyst
    • affects liver, lung, kidneys, spleen, brain, musculoskeletal system, heart
  • Echinococcus multilocularis :
    • alveolar (multilocular) hydatidosis

Structural components of the hydatid cyst :

- outer acellular laminated membrane
- germinal membrane
- protoscolices, attached and budding from the membrane

Localization

- pulmonary echinococcosis (pulmonary hydatid cyst)
- hepatic echinococcosis (hepatic hydatid cyst)
- cardiac echinococcosis (cardiac hydatid cyst)