Hepatic Echinococcosis

Hepatic echinococcosis (hydatid disease): cystic larvae of dog tapeworm (Echinococcus) in liver. Caused by E. granulosus (unilocular cyst) or E. multilocularis/alveolaris (alveolar/infiltrative). NW China/Inner Mongolia/western Sichuan.

Common Symptoms

Splenomegaly; epigastric discomfort; cyanosis; anorexia; ascites; abdominal pain; nausea; weight loss

Causes and Pathogenesis

(1) Etiology: dog definitive host; sheep/pig/horse/cow/human intermediate. Adult in dog small intestine; eggs in feces; ingestion → oncosphere in duodenum → portal vein; 70% filtered in liver; 15% lung; rest muscle/kidney/spleen/bone/orbit/brain. (2) Pathogenesis: hydatid cyst = inner germinal layer + laminated membrane + outer pericyst (host fibrous); daughter/granddaughter cysts; hydatid sand = protoscolices; rupture → anaphylaxis/metastatic seeding; slow growth → hepatocyte atrophy/obstructive jaundice. Alveolar: infiltrative cancer-like, central necrosis/calcification, portal invasion → liver cirrhosis/cholangiocarcinoma; metastasizes via hepatic vein/lymph to lung/brain/nodes.

Treatment

Drug, surgical, rehabilitation, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Public education; handwashing; no raw food/raw water; livestock quarantine; no raw offal to dogs; bury/burn dead stock; mass screening.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Hepatology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.