Echinococcus
Echinococcus
Echinococcus (pronounced: eh-kih-no-KOK-us) is a genus of small tapeworms that can cause a disease known as echinococcosis in humans and other mammals.
Etymology
The term Echinococcus is derived from the Greek words "echinos," meaning hedgehog, and "kokkos," meaning berry. This is in reference to the spherical, spiny appearance of the parasite's larvae.
Description
Echinococcus is a parasite that primarily infects canines and other carnivores, but can also infect humans and other mammals. The adult worms live in the small intestine of the definitive host. The eggs are passed in the feces and, if ingested by an intermediate host, hatch into larvae in the intestine. The larvae then migrate to various organs and tissues, where they form cysts.
Diseases
In humans, infection with Echinococcus can lead to a condition known as echinococcosis. There are two main forms of this disease: cystic echinococcosis (also known as hydatid disease) and alveolar echinococcosis. Both forms are characterized by the growth of cysts in various organs, most commonly the liver and lungs.
Related Terms
- Echinococcosis: A disease caused by infection with Echinococcus.
- Hydatid disease: Another name for cystic echinococcosis.
- Alveolar echinococcosis: A form of echinococcosis characterized by the growth of cysts in the liver.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Echinococcus
- Wikipedia's article - Echinococcus
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