What is the danger of echinococcus? Echinococcus in humans: causes, symptoms and treatment Echinococcus is transmitted from person to person

• different degrees of jaundice;
• allergic reactions;
• heaviness in the area of ​​the affected organs;
• the presence of pain;
• hives;
• the presence of hypersensitivity;
• anaphylactic shock.

Signs of echinococcus in humans are manifested as follows:

• a routine examination in a clinic can reveal an increase in one of the human organs;
• cysts appear;
• with a fairly large size of the capsule, it is palpable during external examination, it can be noticeable to the person himself;
• the infected may notice a general deterioration in well-being.

The first in the risk zone, if we talk about the placement of echinococcus in the human body, is the liver. Echinococcus of the liver causes the following sensations in a person:

• pain in the area of ​​the affected organ;
• feeling of heaviness;
• discomfort in the area of ​​the right hypochondrium.

The consequences of such a neighborhood can be:

• destruction of the affected organ walls;
• disorders in the gallbladder and its rupture;
• lack of proper interaction with other organs and systems;
• manifestation of jaundice.

If a person has echinococcus of the lungs, he will feel the following:

• pressure in the affected area;
• heaviness when inhaling and exhaling;
• mild, intermittent pain.

Subsequently, the coexistence of echinococcus and the human body causes various complications, which often lead to death. Correct and timely diagnosis helps to avoid such consequences. A person who suspects a problem of this nature should go for a consultation with such specialists:

It is important! The first suspicion of echinococcus is an important reason for taking the Coney test. A person is injected with sterile echinococcal fluid, a positive reaction manifests itself in the form of skin redness at the puncture site. The method allows you to identify the problem in the early stages, cure it with medication.

A more neglected problem, when the shell has reached a significant size, has become very hard, requires an exclusively surgical solution. Before the intervention itself, the patient, undergoing antihelminthic therapy. In the early stages, the problem is solved due to the fact that treatment is carried out with folk remedies and medications.

Conservative treatment - folk methods or drugs

Echinococcus in a person, when he is just starting the stage of his growth and development, should be treated using conservative methods. Such measures include drug treatment, the use of traditional medicine.

Treatment with traditional medicine

Effective antihelminthics include components such as horseradish, mustard, lemon, tansy, black pepper, radish. On their basis, tinctures, decoctions, and other means are prepared. An affected person can take one black peppercorn per day until a positive result is achieved. A good effect is given by a mixture of cloves, tansy and wormwood.

1. In equal quantities, mix dried, chopped leaves of cloves, tansy, wormwood.
2. Take a teaspoon of the mixture daily.
3. Use 10 days, take a break, repeat.

The tool is used for people of different age categories, effective in the initial stages of the lesion.

Ginger root against tapeworm

1. Put a spoonful of dried ginger into a glass.
2. Pour 50 ml of water or milk into it.
3. Take 3-4 times a week.

The course of treatment lasts until complete recovery.

Garlic, Lemon and Honey Remedy

A person can completely get rid of echinococcus with the help of garlic, lemon and honey. To prepare the product, you need to mix 2 heads of garlic, a tablespoon of lemon and honey, pour everything with a liter of water. Drink 30 ml every day, the course lasts until the moment of recovery.

Attention! A person needs to develop antibodies to echinococcus, which a specialist will tell you. Conservative treatment of the problem gives a positive result in rare cases, and surgery is not a very pleasant process. The problem is easier to prevent than to overcome.

Medical treatment of echinococcus

Treatment with drugs is under the supervision of specialists. Good antihelminthics that help to overcome the problem are:

1. mebendazone.
2. Nemozol.
3. Vermox.

The drugs are suitable to neutralize single-chamber echinococcus or overcome its more severe forms. Often the drugs themselves are not enough and you have to use surgical intervention.

Echinococcosis: what is it. Diagnosis and treatment of echinococcosis

Surely many have heard of such a disease as echinococcosis. What it is? What are the causes of the development of the disease? What symptoms does it accompany and what danger is it associated with? This information will be of interest to many readers.

Echinococcosis - what is it?

The disease is accompanied by the formation of cysts inside the human body, which spread, affecting certain organs, which, accordingly, leads to disruption of their work. In the absence of timely and proper treatment, the disease leads to severe, dangerous complications.

Epidemiology of the disease

As already mentioned, today echinococcosis is considered a relatively rare disease. On the other hand, it is extremely common in some countries and regions. For example, outbreaks of the disease are often observed in the countries of South America, including Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina. The disease is also often diagnosed in residents of North Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Southern Europe, India, Japan and some others.

As for Russia, outbreaks of echinococcosis are mainly recorded in regions where animal husbandry is developed. These are the Samara, Orenburg, Volgograd and Rostov regions, as well as the Stavropol, Altai, Khabarovsk Territories, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan and some other zones. On the territory of Ukraine, the disease is distributed mainly in the southern regions.

Description of the adult form of the pathogen

After penetration into the body, the development of the larva of the worm begins. By the way, echinococcosis is most often diagnosed in children, since the likelihood of infection increases if hygiene rules are not followed, which is by no means uncommon in young patients. Under the influence of digestive juices, the embryo is released from the shell and penetrates into the mucous tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Already from here, it easily enters the blood and lymph, together with the current of which it quickly spreads to various organs. Most often it is the liver and lungs, although any other structure can also be affected. Here the embryo transforms into a vesicular larva, which is called a cyst.

How does infection occur?

As already mentioned, the final owners of Echinococcus are dogs, less often cats. Eggs of mature tapeworms are excreted along with feces, then they enter the external environment: on the ground, grass, vegetables, fruits, etc. Of course, you can catch the infection by eating unwashed food that has somehow come into contact with infected feces.

In addition, the pathogen enters the human body along with insufficiently fried or boiled meat. The infection is also transmitted through physical contact with infected dogs. By the way, that is why echinococcosis in children is quite common, because they often forget to wash their hands.

The main symptoms of the disease

Most often, echinococcosis is diagnosed in children, although the likelihood of the onset of the disease in adulthood is also quite high. To date, it is customary to distinguish four stages of the development of the disease:

• The latent stage, in which there are practically no subjective symptoms. At this time, a person is infected, the oncosphere is localized and its gradual growth occurs. It is worth noting that the duration of this stage largely depends on the location of the cyst - in some people, the disease does not make itself felt for many years.
• At the second, initial stage of echinococcosis, subjective symptoms appear. It can be occasional soreness, discomfort, or weakness. Most often, patients attribute everything to general malaise, nutritional errors, etc.
• The third stage is accompanied by severe symptoms, which is associated with a significant increase in the size of the cyst. The formation begins to compress neighboring tissues, including blood vessels, nerve endings, bile ducts, etc.
• The fourth stage is said in cases where patients have complications. The most dangerous is the rupture of the cyst.

Hepatic form of the disease

Most often, echinococcosis (the photo is presented above) affects the liver. According to statistics, in more than 70% of cases, the oncosphere of the pathogen is localized in the liver tissues. In the early stages, the disease proceeds without any symptoms.

In the second stage, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite occur. Patients also complain of constant weakness and decreased performance. From time to time there are stabbing pains in the region of the right hypochondrium. Sometimes pain extends to the epigastric area. There are also changes in the stool, which is associated with a violation of the normal processes of digestion.

In the third stage, the patient's well-being deteriorates significantly. Perhaps the development of an abscess, severe pain in the upper abdomen, as well as fever. Rupture of a cyst is the most dangerous complication that liver echinococcosis can lead to. Treatment in this case should be carried out immediately, since the entry of the contents of the cyst into the tissues and blood is fraught with an intense allergic reaction up to the development of anaphylactic shock.

Pulmonary form of echinococcosis

Echinococcosis of the lungs is the second most common form of this disease. As in the previous case, small cysts may not create any inconvenience. But as this structure grows, compression of the tissues of the lung, bronchi, and also blood vessels occurs.

In the initial stages, echinococcosis of the lungs is accompanied by breathing problems. In particular, patients often complain of shortness of breath and occasional chest pain. In addition, there is a cough. At first, it is dry and disturbs the patient mainly at night. But then, during the cough, purulent sputum begins to stand out.

The rupture of the cyst is extremely dangerous and is accompanied by severe cough, cyanosis, aspiration pneumonia and severe allergic reactions. If the cyst breaks into the pleura, there is a high probability of developing anaphylactic shock and instant death.

Echinococcosis of animals

As already mentioned, ungulates are intermediate hosts for echinococcus, but dogs, wolves, and less often foxes act as final hosts. Animal echinococcosis can look different - it all depends on the number of cysts in the body, as well as the quality of pet care.

Human echinococcosis is a rather dangerous disease. That is why the diagnosis is so important. Today, medicine offers many ways to detect the disease. The most informative analysis for echinococcosis is the so-called Katsoni reaction, which in 90% of cases gives correct results. During the procedure, a small amount of echinococcal fluid is injected under the skin of the patient. With a positive reaction, a pronounced redness appears at the injection site.

Naturally, in addition, the patient takes blood, urine, and feces tests. Serological tests are also carried out, the specificity of which is quite high. All these studies help to establish the fact of the presence of echinococcosis.

But with such a disease, it is important to find the location of the cysts. For this purpose, various procedures are used, including computed tomography, angiography of the celiac artery (if liver echinococcosis is suspected), as well as scanning with radioactive isotopes and some other techniques.

Disease treatment methods

So how is echinococcosis treated? The operation is performed under general anesthesia and only after all cysts have been detected during the diagnostic process. During the procedure, it is extremely important to remove the pathogen completely, with all membranes and prevent its contents from getting into the surrounding tissues. The most effective surgical intervention is in the initial stages. If the human body is affected by a large number of cysts, then their removal is carried out in several stages: during the first operation, the most dangerous formations are removed, and after some time (usually from three to six months), the procedure is repeated.

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines that can permanently protect against such a disease. However, following some preventive recommendations, you can reduce the risk of developing a disease such as echinococcosis. What is it and what does effective prevention look like?

Firstly, it is extremely important to adhere to all sanitary and hygienic standards in agricultural areas where animals are raised. Since dogs are the most common source of the pathogen for humans, it is necessary to regularly conduct appropriate checks on watchdogs.

As for personal prevention, experts recommend washing hands thoroughly before eating, as well as after any direct contact with an animal. You can not drink water from natural reservoirs or polluted sources, eat unwashed berries, fruits and vegetables, and also eat insufficiently thermally processed meat products.

What is echinococcus?

• Characteristics of the causative agent of infection
  • The influence of echinococcus on humans
  • Echinococcus detection methods
• Manifestations of echinococcosis
• How to get rid of echinococcus

Characteristics of the causative agent of infection

The structure of his body is practically no different from other tapeworms. There is a head, 3 proglottids and 4 suckers. Reproductive organs (uterus together with eggs) are located in mature segments. The number of eggs is small (400-600). Echinococcus larva is located in the egg. Oncospheres are able to persist in the environment for a long time. They can withstand temperatures down to -30°. Oncospheres are sensitive to sunlight.

Echinococcus circulation in the environment

Of great importance in clarifying the diagnosis is the epidemiological history. In this situation, it is necessary to know the ways and factors of human infection. In this case, the life cycle of echinococcus is important.

An intermediate host may be livestock. The development cycle of echinococcus is simple. The source releases echinococcus eggs into the environment. They end up in soil and water. A susceptible person becomes infected by the following mechanisms:

• alimentary (through water or poorly processed vegetables or fruits);
• contact (in contact with the hair of a sick animal or cutting skins).

Echinococcus eggs are often present on animal fur, so echinococcosis can be contracted through contact with dogs and other animals. Infection of predatory animals occurs in the process of eating the meat of infected herbivorous animals (hares, pigs, squirrels).

As for a person, the risk group for echinococcosis includes persons whose profession is related to animals. These include hunters, watchmen, foresters, shepherds. After the eggs of Echinococcus unicameral enter the gastrointestinal tract through the mouth, the larvae are released, which then enter the general bloodstream. Through the portal vein, the larvae enter the liver (less often, the lungs).

Echinococcus has an irritating effect on the body of a sick person. This is manifested by frequent allergic reactions. Important is the fact that rupture of the cyst may lead to anaphylactic shock or sepsis.

A large cyst disrupts the functions of internal organs. Often there is their atrophy. In the event that a cyst forms in the liver, fibrosis of this organ is possible. When the lungs are affected, sclerosis often develops, as a result of which the lung tissue becomes denser. It takes a long time to form a large cyst. Often this takes more than a dozen years. Of no small importance is the fact that echinococcosis, unlike many bacterial or viral diseases, does not lead to the appearance of stable immunity.

Echinococcus detection methods

For this, immunobiological tests are carried out. Indirect methods involve the detection of antibodies to the infectious agent. For this purpose, the RSK or RNGA reaction is carried out. Recently, more and more often, polymerase chain reaction or enzyme immunoassay is used to detect echinococcus.

Often a Cazzoni test is done. It is carried out as follows: a small scratch is made on the forearm, after which a pre-prepared liquid is dripped onto it. The latter contains echinococcus antigens. In the event that a person is sick, specific antibodies should be synthesized in his blood. Antibodies and antigens bind, resulting in a local inflammatory reaction.

Additional diagnostic methods include analysis of liver enzymes. With echinococcosis, blood is also examined. At the same time, persistent eosinophilia is detected, ESR increases. In order to identify the presence of an echinococcal cyst, a survey radiography or computed tomography is performed. The study of the state of the liver and other organs can be organized using laparoscopy.

Manifestations of echinococcosis

If the liver of a sick person is affected by echinococcus, the following symptoms may disturb: weakness, malaise, stool disorders such as diarrhea, dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, loss of appetite), discoloration of the skin (jaundice). When the liver is damaged by echinococcus, pain is observed in the right hypochondrium. The pain may be sharp or dull. Often, patients complain of a feeling of fullness in the right iliac region. Objective signs of the disease include:

• an increase in the size of the liver (hepatomegaly);
• pain on palpation;
• the appearance of a rash.

• dry or productive cough;
• difficulty breathing;
• dyspnea;
• the appearance of blood in the sputum.

During auscultation, various noises and wheezing appear, breathing becomes weak. Rupture of the cyst can lead to severe respiratory failure, suffocation, and even sleep apnea.

How to get rid of echinococcus

The only effective treatment for echinococcosis is surgery.

It is aimed at removing the cyst. Together with it, a part of the organ can be removed (resection of the liver or lung is performed). The operation is done under general anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgery is often performed.

Why is echinococcus dangerous for the liver?

Echinococcus of the liver, in comparison with other varieties of helminthiases, is not so common. On average, the number of patients who are diagnosed with any stage of echinococcosis (the so-called helminthic invasion provoked by echinococcus) varies from four to six cases per one hundred thousand people. The main reason for this development of events is not at all an effective treatment used in the fight against the disease. It's not at all easy to diagnose. On the contrary, the symptoms of helminthiasis may appear six months after infection. In fact, echinococcus affects mainly animals, and wild ones: wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, lynxes, lions.

Man for echinococcus is an intermediate host. True, unlike other intermediate hosts (for this helminth, these are sheep, buffalo, horse, pig, squirrel, hare), helminth larvae cannot be excreted during a bowel movement. Why this happens, we will tell further.

The main victims of echinococcus are not at all domestic animals and humans, but predators: wolves, jackals, coyotes, foxes, lions. The helminth penetrates the human body extremely rarely - in four to six cases out of a hundred thousand. True, the consequences of this do not become less fatal.

Intermediate and primary hosts

The difference between a person as an “intermediate” host and others is that he does not pose a potential danger to people. That is, helminths that enter the human body with food are not excreted with feces. And this happens because in the human body, echinococcus settles in most cases in the liver, less often in the lungs. Other helminths most often remain in the small intestine, from where it is much easier to get into the environment.

Man is an intermediate host for echinococcus. The larvae that enter the body are localized in the liver, less often in the lungs, forming cysts.

Structural features

The body of echinococcus, like other tapeworms, consists of several segments. Usually their number does not exceed five or seven. The head of the helminth is covered with hooks and suction cups, which provide secure fastening inside the mucosa, and also facilitate penetration through the walls of blood vessels and soft tissues.

In a mature individual, the number of hooks can reach fifty (they are arranged in two rows), and suckers - four. The head of the helminth passes into the neck, which connects it to the body. The body of echinococcus consists of segments that can break away from the attachment site and continue independent development. The number of immature segments, as a rule, is equal to one or two. After them, a bisexual segment-segment is attached to the helminth. It is in it that the eggs-future descendants are formed and mature. The number of eggs in a hermaphroditic segment rarely exceeds four hundred to six hundred units. The last to be attached to the body of echinococcus are mature segments, which, after the penetration of the helminth into the middle of the body, are able to come off and develop independently. In the photo you can see them in more detail.

Segments can be excreted with feces (if we are talking about intermediate hosts - small animals, as well as the main hosts - predators). These segments also produce eggs that can withstand a wide range of temperatures. The protective shell of the helminth larva is so strong that it allows it to comfortably exist in cold conditions, during which the air temperature is -30 C. True, such an existence can last no more than a few days. In more comfortable conditions, the larvae live from several months to one year. Adults remain active in the human or animal body for five to eight months. However, cysts formed under their influence can grow over several years and even decades. A cursory glance at the photo is enough to be horrified by what has been taken away.

The helminth is protected by a special shell, thanks to which it is able to withstand wide temperature ranges. In the human body, echinococcus forms cysts that can grow over several years and even decades.

What happens in the human body

Unlike other helminths, Echinococcus enters either the liver or the lungs. This is possible thanks to:

• small sizes - the length of the larva does not exceed eight millimeters, and the adult - several centimeters;
• special devices - hooks placed in two rows on the head (the larva has six to eight of them, the adult has up to fifty), and four suckers.

The larvae that have entered the liver continue to develop and after five to six months are converted into a cyst. The cyst is a bubble filled with liquid - a kind of protective shell, inside of which there is a helminth. The danger of cysts is as follows:

• They can grow throughout life, and a person may not even be aware of their existence, therefore, do not apply treatment.
• Symptoms of the disease appear no earlier than six months after infection. Symptoms may be absent for longer, and serious treatment will be needed.
• They can cause changes in internal organs, as evidenced by symptoms such as lethargy, apathy, disruption of the digestive system and gallbladder;
• They can provoke the appearance of a rash (in the photo you can see in more detail) and other allergic reactions associated with an increase in the level of toxins in the body.
• They can grow to gigantic sizes. There are cases when the total mass of all cysts in the human body was five to six kilograms, and the volume of fluid filling them all was equal to two tens of liters.

The main danger of echinococcus is pathological changes in the internal organs, provoked by the growth of cysts. Each cyst is a kind of protective shell around the helminth, filled with liquid from the inside. The cyst can provoke the appearance of an allergic rash and lead to deformation of the internal organs. Such cysts can grow throughout life.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of liver damage

Symptoms of the disease at an early stage are manifested in the general deterioration of the condition, characteristic of food poisoning or the initial stage of a cold. That's just the treatment, despite similar symptoms, you need completely different.

In the later stages of the disease, requiring serious medical treatment, symptoms include yellowing of the skin, darkening of the urine, an increase in the number of white blood cells, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, and light-colored stools.

Symptoms of lung injury

As cysts develop in the lungs, patients suffer from shortness of breath, pain in the chest often occurs, and in severe cases, the patient may cough up blood. At the same time, breathing becomes quickened, since the cyst blocks part of the lung, because the person does not receive enough oxygen.

In later stages, cysts in the lungs and liver may rupture. This process is accompanied by the flow of fluid into the internal organs, which increases the already high level of intoxication. That is why the treatment of the disease in case of cyst formation is only stationary, with the use of surgical intervention.

Types of diagnostics

Any treatment requires a diagnosis. To detect echinococcosis, ultrasound is most often used, if we are talking about later stages, when there is a suspicion of cyst formation, as well as serological methods for examining blood plasma for the presence of protective antibody cells in it. The latest technique allows you to identify any kind of helminthiases even in the absence of obvious symptoms and start treatment in a timely manner.

A complete blood count is also used, but compared to a plasma test for the presence of antibodies, it is less informative. With its help, you can set the level of leukocytes in the blood, but it is very rare to get an unambiguous answer to the question of what this is connected with.

Echinococcosis is not a very common phenomenon among people - animals suffer from it more. Unlike other helminthic invasions, echinococcus larvae are not excreted from the human body along with feces, since the helminth "settles" in the liver or lungs. Subsequently, cysts filled with fluid form in the internal organs. If the signs of the disease are misinterpreted and inappropriate treatment is applied, the consequences can be very deplorable. To avoid such a situation, you need to take a blood test for helminths in time or do an ultrasound scan.

The geographical distribution of echinococcosis is extensive. The disease covers many southern countries of the world, as well as the northern livestock areas of the countries. Some of them include southern European countries such as Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, many countries in South America, such as Brazil, Argentina and others, Australia, India, Japan, the southern regions of the United States. In Russia, echinococcosis occurs with a certain frequency in the Stavropol Territory, Krasnodar Territory, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, northern livestock areas of the Khabarovsk Territory, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Altai Territory, Tomsk, Omsk Regions and others.

Reasons for the development of echinococcosis

The causative agent of echinococcosis

The disease is caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosis. This is the smallest tapeworm, 2.5-8 mm long (sometimes 9 mm), has a scolex (head) with 4 suckers and hooks (hooks form two rows with a total of up to 50). A sexually mature worm has a head, neck and 3-4 segments, which differ in degree of maturity: first there are immature segments - 1-2 pieces, then a hermaphroditic, and a final mature segment. It is the mature segment that contains the uterus with eggs (there are from 400 to 600 of them). Each egg contains an oncosphere (6 hooked larva-embryo). Oncospheres are quite stable in the external environment: they withstand extreme temperatures from minus 30° to plus 35-40°, they remain in the surface soil layer for up to several months at temperatures from 12 to 25°, however, sunlight destroys oncospheres within a few days.

Sources of infection

The final owner is dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, lynxes, lions.
Intermediate host - sheep, buffaloes, horses, pigs, squirrels, hares, humans. Transmission through the placenta is possible - from the mother to the fetus in the case of the primary development of infection.

Echinococcosis, development cycle

Mechanisms of infection with echinocoocosis

The main mechanism of human infection is alimentary, contact-household. Human infection occurs through contact with the hair of animals - hosts of helminths (often dogs), when collecting berries and herbs, drinking water from contaminated sources, eating vegetables and fruits contaminated with the feces of the final host (for example, dogs).

Susceptibility is universal, however, individuals in certain professions or lifestyles associated with animal husbandry (slaughterhouse workers, shepherds, tanners, hunters, and others) have a high risk.

A short cycle of development of echinococcus in humans: Through the mouth, the eggs enter the intestines of the intermediate host (for example, humans), where the embryo leaves the oncosphere, which is absorbed into the bloodstream and enters the liver and sometimes the lungs through the portal vein system. Here there is a stage of larval development in the form of a single-chamber bubble (larvocyst) with a diameter of up to 5 cm. The wall of the bubble consists of an outer chitinous and inner embryonic membranes. The cavity is filled with liquid. Daughter and granddaughter bubbles can form inside the maternal bladder. The total weight of bubbles can reach several tens of kg and 6-10 liters of liquid. On the inner shell of the bladder, brood capsules are formed for the development of everted scolexes. Scolexes may separate from the capsules and float freely in the fluid of the cyst.

Pathological effect of echinococcus in the human body

The main action is associated with the formation of specific echinococcal cysts in any organ, but most often it is the liver (up to 80%) and lungs (up to 20%). It can be either one cyst or multiple echinococcosis.

Echinococci provide:

1) sensitizing effect (development of an allergic reaction of an immediate or delayed type, and with rupture of cysts - up to anaphylactic shock);
2) mechanical action - an echinococcal cyst, growing, leads to a significant violation of the function of the affected organ, and subsequently to atrophy of the organ. The outcome may be fibrosis, in the lungs - pneumosclerosis. The timing of cyst formation varies depending on the number of oncospheres and the initial state of the human body. On average, from the moment of invasion (swallowing oncospheres) to the formation of a vesicular structure of the larvae, it takes about 2 weeks, after a few months (4.5-5 months) the cyst has a diameter of up to 5 mm, and then grows over the years. Large cysts up to several liters in volume form over decades (20 years or more).

Immunity with echinococcosis is unstable, repeated infections are possible.

Clinical forms and symptoms of echinococcosis

During helminthiasis, several stages are distinguished:
1) asymptomatic (from the moment of invasion to the formation of a small initial cyst);
2) the appearance of small complaints and symptoms of damage to a particular organ;
3) pronounced symptoms of the disease;
4) development of complications of invasion.
This gradation is very conditional due to the slow development of the disease, the slow growth of cysts.

Echinococcosis of the liver (more often)

Patients are concerned about weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, impaired stool, itchy rash, abdominal pain (right hypochondrium, epigastrium). On examination, there is an increase in the size of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly). The cyst can be palpated, dense to the touch. If the secondary bacterial flora is attached, the cyst suppurates, and clinically the patient will have fever (fever), chills, and abdominal pain. A liver abscess may develop. When squeezing a cyst of the intra- or extrahepatic bile ducts, jaundice of a mechanical (or obstructive) nature may develop. First, the urine darkens, the sclera turn yellow, the stool begins to lighten, then the skin turns yellow. Jaundice is intense, often accompanied by itching. In the general blood test - an increase in leukocytes, eosinophilia (up to 15-25%).

A severe complication of liver echinococcosis is perforation (opening) of an echinococcal cyst, which is clinically manifested by severe pain, severe allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock, and dissemination (spread) of echinococci throughout the body with the development of secondary multiple echinococcosis will occur.

Echinococcosis of the lungs

With large cysts, patients are worried about shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis. There may be a deformation of the chest, a shortening of the percussion sound and a weakening of breathing. There may be a shift in the mediastinum. The process may involve the pleura with the development of exudative pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura, fluid effusion).

When a cyst ruptures, the symptoms change. If there is a breakthrough in the bronchi, then the patient develops a sharp cough, choking, cyanosis, severe allergic reactions. The breakthrough of the cyst into the cavity of the pleura and pericardium leads to the development of anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome.

In the KLA: leukocytosis with a stab shift (an increase in the ratio of stab over segmented neutrophils), eosinophilia (up to 15-25%).

Very rarely, but with echinococcosis, other organs can also be affected: spleen, kidneys, CNS. it
occurs when the larvae enter the systemic circulation. One of the important signs is recurring allergic reactions in the form of urticaria against the background of emerging symptoms of damage to a particular organ.

Diagnosis of echinococcosis

For the diagnosis of invasion, a competently collected epidemiological history is important (the patient's connection with animal husbandry, frequent visits to forests, meadows, the presence of close contact with animals - dogs, etc.).

Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics includes:

1) Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, CT, Rо-graphy of the lungs in order to detect single or multi-chamber cysts. If cysts are detected, their puncture examination is unacceptable in order to avoid a fatal outcome for patients.

2) Serological blood test patient in order to detect specific antibodies (reactions are used: RNIF, RNHA, ELISA) with high specificity of methods from 80 to 90%, as well as high sensitivity - up to 98%. The vast majority of patients with detected cysts and suspicion of their echinococcal nature have specific antibodies to echinococcus in the blood.
3) Helminthological research(sputum, duodenal contents, urine) in case of a breakthrough of a cyst into the lumen of hollow organs in order to detect echinococcus scolex.
4) General clinical method s - complete blood count (leukocytosis, eosinophilia), biochemical studies (increased ALT, AST, GGTP, bilirubin due to direct fraction) and others.

Treatment of echinococcosis

The main method of therapy:

1) surgical treatment (removal of echinococcal cysts with subsequent restoration of the function of the affected organ). The method of radical echinococcectomy is used (complete removal of a cyst with a fibrous membrane) or opening of the cyst, removal of fluid, complete treatment of the cavity with special disinfectant solutions, drainage, suturing tightly. Any opening of an echinococcal cyst should be carried out with the utmost care in order to avoid re-contamination (isolation of tissues, preventing it from entering the cavities - chest or abdominal).

3) Symptomatic therapy (antihistamines, hepatoprotectors, antitussives and
others depending on the symptoms).

Prevention of echinococcosis

1) Special veterinary measures to prevent animal invasion (dog deworming, compliance with sanitary rules in slaughterhouses).
2) Examination of decreed persons for echinococcosis (hunters, livestock breeders, dog breeders, workers of slaughterhouses, meat processing plants and others)
3) Individual prevention: limiting contact with dogs, observing the rules of personal hygiene - washing hands, carefully processing vegetables, fruits, berries before eating, drinking water from trusted sources.

Infectious disease specialist Bykova N.I.

Echinococcosis is a helminthiasis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus.

Echinococcus consists of a head with 4 suckers and a proboscis with 2 corollas of hooks. Behind the head is the neck and three segments. The first segment is immature, the second is hermaphroditic, the third is mature.

The hermaphroditic segment contains 400-800 fertilized eggs.

Echinococcus development cycle

More details about the structure and life cycle of echinococcus are written in the article "".

Achieving sexual maturity by Echinococcus involves a change of two hosts.

The final host of the worm are dogs and all representatives of the canine family (wolves, jackals, etc.). Echinococcus lives in the final host for 5-6 months.

From the neck of the worm, new segments constantly bud off, and the posterior mature ones break off and go into the external environment either with feces or actively crawling out through the anus. Crawling over the dog's body, they contaminate the animal's coat with eggs released from the uterus.

The eggs enter the organism of the intermediate host (a wide range of mammals, including humans) through the mouth. In the small intestine, the oncosphere emerges from the eggs and, with the help of hooks, penetrates into the blood vessels of the intestine and then through the portal vein to the liver. Most of them stay there.

Part of the oncospheres with blood is carried throughout the body. They can get into any organ - the brain, lungs, spleen, kidneys, bones.

The definitive hosts become infected by eating the organs of the intermediate host, which contain echinococcal blisters.

In the small intestine of the final host (for example, dogs), echinococci begin to develop.

Echinococcosis (Echinococcosis) (ICD-10 code - B67) is a helminthiasis caused by the larval stage of tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, characterized by a chronic course and development mainly in the liver, less often in the lungs and other organs.

Prevalence in the world

Echinococcosis is widespread in the world with different frequency. The most frequent incidence is observed in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran. High epidemic zones are Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Cyprus, Spain, Syria.

In Russia, the disease has been registered in the Urals, Far East and North Caucasus regions. The highest incidence was noted in the Kamchatka, Magadan regions, Chukotka and Koryak autonomous districts, in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Orenburg region.

Ways of infection

The source of human infection are animals: dogs, foxes, wolves, jackals.
Human infection can occur

• when cutting the skins of wild animals,
• contact with infected dogs
• the use of unwashed berries, herbs and vegetables from gardens frequented by infected animals,
• when drinking raw water from contaminated sources.

Echinococcosis often occurs in hunters when they feed raw innards of wild animals to dogs.

Large and small cattle can be a mechanical carrier of eggs that fall on the animal's hair from contaminated grass.

Health effects of echinococci

The oncospheres that have settled in human organs turn after 5 months into larvae (echinococcal cysts) with a diameter of 5-20 mm.

Several organs can be affected at the same time. The size of the larvae can vary from 1-2 cm to gigantic, containing several liters of liquid.

The growing cyst pushes back the tissues of the affected organ, causing them to become inflamed and die. Gradually, the area of ​​inflammation is replaced by scar tissue, the organ is deformed.

A large cyst may rupture. In this case, its contents enter the abdominal region or into the lungs, bronchi, bile ducts or large vessels, which often leads to severe anaphylactic shock, infection of other organs and secondary echinococcosis.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of infection are non-specific:

• general intoxication,
• weakness,
• malaise,
• nausea,
• possible rash with itching.

When the liver is infected, the symptoms are similar to the pain of cholecystitis

• pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
• weight loss,
• lack of appetite,
• heartburn,
• burp,
• vomit.

Growing echinococcal blisters in the liver compress the large bile ducts, which causes obstructive jaundice.

Manifestations of echinococcosis of the lungs are manifested by symptoms such as

• chest pain,
• dry cough,
• hemoptysis.

Echinococcosis of the kidneys is often diagnosed only with a delay in the formation of urine and is accompanied by pulling pains in the lumbar region.

The main symptom of bone echonococcosis is pain and swelling in the affected area.

Intestinal echinococcosis is manifested by general intestinal symptoms and symptoms depending on the location of the echinococcal bladder:

• pain in the abdomen, especially at the site of the localization of the bladder,
• nausea,
• vomit,
• stool disorders.

With the growth of the bladder, intestinal obstruction may develop.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of echinococcosis is based on the data of X-ray, ultrasound and immunological studies.

The best method for detecting echinococcal cysts is. They look like rounded formations with clear contours.

CT and MRI can determine the nature of the lesion, its size, complications, lesions and the state of the affected organ.

Laparoscopy is of limited value, as the method does not provide certain information, and the risk of complications is high.

Serological methods are highly informative, which allow the detection of specific antibodies to echinococcus.

Treatment

The main method of treatment of echinococcosis is surgical - surgical removal of the cyst with drainage of its cavity, less often the removal of part of the affected organ.

Treatment with drugs is possible with the following indications:

• single cysts no larger than 3 cm in diameter,
• multiple cysts no larger than 1 cm in diameter,
• rupture of an echinococcal cyst,
• opening an echinococcal cyst of the lung into the lumen of the bronchus and emptying it,
• inoperability.

For conservative treatment, apply,.

The effectiveness of treatment with the drug is 70-80%.

Further treatment is aimed at correcting metabolic and immune disorders.

Prevention

After treatment, follow-up with a doctor for 5 years is necessary.

After the operation, 1-2 times a year, it is necessary to undergo an examination:

• general analysis of urine and blood,
• biochemical blood test: ALT, AST, bilirubin, proteinogram, antibody level,
• Abdominal ultrasound.

According to the indications, an examination of the following specialists is necessary:

• neurologist,
• pulmonologist,
• gastroenterologist.

To prevent infection, you must:

• follow the rules of personal hygiene when caring for animals,
• wash berries, fruits, vegetables, etc.,
• deworming dogs,
• destroy the internal organs of infected animals.

Today we will talk about:

Ways of transmission of echinococcosis

Symptoms of echinococcosis

General symptoms

Echinococcosis is a non-acute disease that presents with sudden high fever, chills, heavy sweats, or severe pain. No, on the contrary, the symptoms of the disease may not appear or be felt by an infected person for many months and even years from the moment of illness. This feature makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis, and often the patient seeks help from various specialists until, in the end, he ends up on the operating table for the removal of an echinococcal cyst.

Common symptoms of the disease include, first of all:

Weakness and fatigue
Decreased overall performance
Recurring headaches
Rashes on the skin in the form of small dotted red spots
Increases in body temperature that are temporary

Symptoms of liver damage

Liver damage occupies more than 60% of all cases of echinococcosis. The development of infection can be conditionally divided into several stages, each of which has its own, in some cases even minor, distinctive symptoms of the disease.

The second stage, along with the manifestation of the general symptoms described above, is characterized by the appearance of symptoms of liver damage. Patients lose their appetite gradually reduced body weight. When taking medicines, unwanted side reactions are possible, associated with a reduced ability of the liver to neutralize chemicals.

Specific symptoms of liver damage include:

• Nausea or vomiting that comes after eating: fried, greasy, food, or other savory foods.
• The appearance of heaviness in the right hypochondrium and pain in the upper abdomen with its displacement to the right hypochondrium, also after eating or after increased physical activity.
• Disorder of the stool in the form of periodically appearing diarrhea. It occurs as a result of a violation of the digestion of fats in the intestine due to a violation of the secretion of bile by the liver.

When examining a patient, a significant increase in the size of the liver can be detected. When touched, the liver is painful and hard. These pathological symptoms are characteristic of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). With an incorrect diagnosis, inflammation of the liver can be treated for a long time and unsuccessfully. Since the liver has a large regenerative capacity, despite significant damage to the liver tissue, liver failure does not occur.

The third stage or stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of complications associated with the rupture of the echinococcal cyst and the spread of helminth eggs throughout the body. If during the first stages of the disease there were only general symptoms and signs of liver damage, now there will be serious disruptions in the work of other organs and systems. The most common complications may be:

• Suppuration of the cyst with the formation of purulent contents inside it. When the abscess ruptures, pus may enter the abdominal cavity with the development of peritonitis (acute purulent inflammation of the peritoneum - the membranes of the abdominal organs). When a cyst breaks into the chest cavity, inflammation of the membranes of the lungs develops - purulent pleurisy.
• The rupture of the cyst is often accompanied by the entry of its contents into the blood. At the same time, in almost all cases, a pronounced allergic reaction appears, since a large amount of biologically active substances are released, which contribute to the formation of tissue edema, the appearance of various intensities of rashes on the skin, narrowing of the airway lumen with the appearance of shortness of breath and many other manifestations characteristic of allergies. In addition, echinococci spread throughout the body and enter the lungs, brain, bones and other organs.
• A large cyst may compress surrounding tissues, including the portal vein and intrahepatic bile ducts. In this case, the following symptoms may be observed:

1. When squeezing the intrahepatic bile ducts, symptoms occur due to stagnation of bile in them and an increase in pressure in the liver tissue. Normally, bile is produced in the liver from destroyed red blood cells and bile acids, then it enters the gallbladder, then into the small intestine. The function of bile is that it helps to digest the incoming fats with the food taken. If this physiological cycle does not occur, then a gradual increase in bile pressure in the small hepatic bile ducts will lead to the fact that bile will eventually seep into the blood. This complication is called mechanical or obstructive jaundice. The patient is all yellow with a greenish tint, constantly feels itching of the skin, and the urine becomes "the color of strong tea or beer."
2. When the lumen of the portal vein is closed, there is an increase in blood pressure in the circulatory system of those organs of the abdominal cavity, the outflow of blood from which is directed to the liver. These include: stomach, part of the esophagus, small and large intestines, spleen. There is a clinical picture of violation of these organs. But the main signs of a violation of the outflow of blood are an increase in the spleen and the appearance of ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity). It occurs due to increased blood pressure in the portal vein system.
3. When the lumen of the inferior vena cava is closed, the blood from which enters the right parts of the heart, a picture of cardiovascular insufficiency is observed. Symptoms are due to insufficient blood flow to the heart and lungs. The blood is not saturated with oxygen - shortness of breath appears, plus the blood supply to all organs of the body suffers, and first of all the heart, kidneys and brain. There are frequent loss of consciousness, pain in the region of the heart, impaired functioning of the kidneys and many other disorders associated with insufficient blood supply to organs and systems.

Symptoms of echinococcosis of the lungs

There are also several stages in the development of the clinical picture that develops with lung damage. At the initial stage, when echinococcus penetrates into the pulmonary system, a cyst is formed, which slowly, but grows and increases in size. There may be several such cysts, in which case the symptoms of the disease begin to appear faster. In parallel with the specific symptoms of lung damage, there are also general symptoms of malaise, chronic fatigue and a decrease in overall performance, as with liver damage.

At an early stage of lung damage, symptoms such as:
Dry hacking cough, which over time acquires a specific unpleasant odor and becomes wet, frothy. In the future, streaks of blood appear at times, which can be confused with a tuberculous process or a cancerous tumor of the lungs.
Pain in the chest occurs when the cyst becomes large and compresses the pleura (the lining of the lungs), which is abundantly supplied with sensitive receptors.

• With suppuration and cysts and the spread of pus in the lungs, inflammatory processes begin, which manifests itself in the form of persistent and prolonged pneumonia (pneumonia), as well as aggressive allergic reactions.
• If the cyst ruptures through the lining of the lungs and the nearby lining of the heart, it can cause shock and immediate death. If the membrane of the heart is not affected, and there is no shock, then severe exudative pleurisy develops (inflammation of the pleura - the lining of the lungs, with the accumulation of a large amount of fluid between them). At the same time, the lung is compressed and gradually ceases to participate in the act of breathing. In addition to the symptoms of general intoxication (high - 38-39 degrees, fever, muscle pain, increased sweating and some other symptoms that worsen the general condition of the patient), the patient develops shortness of breath and suffocates.

Echinococcosis of other organs

Alveolar echinococcosis

One of the subspecies of echinococcus causes exactly the same clinical picture of the disease as in hydatious echinococcosis. The only difference is that this echinococcus forms not one large cyst, but several cystic blisters of small diameter. In addition, they have the ability to penetrate into the surrounding tissues and, accordingly, destroy them. Symptoms of the disease appear much earlier and are more pronounced. The consequences of alveolar echinococcosis are much more deplorable, since, destroying the organ, cysts lead to its insufficiency, and also quickly spread through the blood to all organs and tissues. It is no longer possible to treat such echinococcosis.

Diagnosis of echinococcosis

For the diagnosis of echinococcosis, it is necessary to carry out both laboratory and instrumental research methods, using modern computerized devices. An important role is also played by the clinical symptoms of damage to a particular organ. Of course, one cannot do without modern diagnostic methods, but a timely survey about the patient's life history, about the nature of his activity, and when he first discovered the first signs of the disease, can sometimes suggest the existence of echinococcosis.

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests are divided into two categories: those that confirm the diagnosis, and those that reflect the degree of malfunction of the affected organ.

The first group, that is, confirming the diagnosis, includes immunological tests that are carried out in biochemical laboratories. At the moment, there are a number of tests confirming whether specific proteins are present in the blood or the contents of the cyst - antigens characteristic of echinococcosis. Also, using these reactions, it is possible to establish the presence of protective proteins produced by the body to neutralize antigens.

RSK - complement fixation reaction
RNGA - reaction of indirect hemagglutination

Cazzoni allergy test can also be included here.
A small scratch is made on the anterior surface of the forearm with a scarifier, then a small amount of liquid from the echinococcal cyst is dripped from above. The liquid is prepared in advance and stored for a long time in special conditions. The liquid contains echinococcal antigens. The essence of the method lies in the fact that if a patient has echinococcosis, then he must also have antibodies to them. When antibodies bind to antigens, a local inflammatory reaction occurs, which manifests itself in the form of local redness and slight swelling of the tissues in the area of ​​the scratch.

The second group of laboratory tests involves the identification of specific changes in the blood in case of damage to target organs.

If the liver is damaged, abnormal liver tests are detected.

Instrumental diagnostic methods are carried out in order to determine the magnitude of volumetric processes, that is, the presence of cysts in the liver, lungs, and in rare cases, the brain, kidneys and other organs. Also, with the help of special equipment, the degree of increase and destructive processes in the affected organs is determined. To all this, we can add that all modern equipment is not able to make an accurate, affirmative diagnosis - echinococcosis.

Ultrasound examination of the liver

They are mainly used to study the abdominal organs, they reveal an increase in the liver or cystic formations.

X-ray methods. These include:

Plain chest x-ray- with the help of which cystic formations in the lungs are determined. Also, with a protracted process, the deposition of calcium salts around the cysts is detected.

CT scan- also an x-ray method that reveals more deeply located tissue defects. It is used both in the diagnosis of echinococcosis of the lungs, liver and other organs.

Laparoscopic method

It is an invasive method, since a special endoscopic tube is inserted into the abdominal cavity, with the help of which the liver and other organs inside the abdomen are examined. The image is displayed on the screen, and allows you to detect superficially located cysts, as well as the size and surface of the liver itself.

Treatment of echinococcosis

Treatment of echnococcosis is carried out only surgically. In the period before and after the operation, concomitant treatment is carried out with an anthelmintic drug - mebendazole (Vermox).
The dose is prescribed individually depending on the stage of the pathological process. In some cases, this approach using mebendazole allows you to temporarily delay the growth of the cyst and even reduce it in size.

The surgical operation consists in removing an echinococcal cyst with a capsule and surrounding, pathologically altered tissues. Removal of the cyst is performed in cases where it is small in size and located closer to the surface of the organ.

In cases of deep cystic formation, in order to avoid complications associated with damage to deeply located vessels and bile ducts, a different surgical approach is used. The cyst along with the capsule is not removed, but is pre-punctured and its contents are sucked off. Then the inner layers of the cyst are cleaned from the inside, after which the cavity is treated with a 2% formalin solution and sutured.

With alveolar echinococcosis, so-called palliative operations are performed, which do not completely cure the disease, but only temporarily alleviate the suffering of the patient. They are carried out by removing part, the largest cysts, to reduce squeezing of the healthy part of the organ. Palliative operations are performed to increase the life expectancy of the patient, as well as to improve his well-being.

Recovery Criteria

A person is considered healthy if they take immunological blood tests for four years, and they show a negative result.

Prevention of echinococcosis

Preventive measures include a whole range of measures taken to prevent possible infection with echinococcosis. First of all, it is necessary to remember the ways of transmission of infection in order to reduce the risk of infection to the minimum.

People whose work is related to dog breeding, hunting, animal husbandry, and their families must first of all pay great attention to the hygiene rules that are followed:

• After contact with dogs and other animals
• Before eating
• After the toilet
• Timely hand washing with soap after the above steps will prevent infection from entering the body.
• It is important to know that water from springs, wells and other natural sources is first boiled and then drunk.
• Careful heat treatment of meat is also very important, because it may contain echinococcus larvae.
• Patients with echinococcosis after the treatment should be registered at the dispensary, and visit a doctor and be examined at least 1 time in 2 years. Medical examination is carried out for 8-10 years.

How to recover after surgery for echinococcosis

In any case, the operation to remove the echinococcal cyst disrupts the work of the damaged organ. And it is very important to properly rehabilitate after surgery, restore the function of the organ as much as possible and prevent the development of relapses of the disease.

Such situations develop, on average, in 15% of cases.

What to do after surgery for echinococcosis

1. Take anthelmintic drugs according to the schemes (Mebendazole).
2. Rehabilitation after operations for echinococcus lasts at least 2-4 months (the patient is recommended a sick leave for the recovery period).
3. Mandatory examination 2 times a year for the first 2 years, then 1 time per year for 8-10 years:

• blood for antibodies to echinococcus;
• radiography of the lungs;
• liver tests and blood biochemistry;
• computed tomography of the head (after surgery for cerebral echinococcosis or in the presence of neurological symptoms);
• general analysis of blood and urine;
• other types of examination according to indications.

4. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
5. Eating thermally processed foods.
6. Limit contact with animals that can cause re-infection with helminths, or strictly adhere to hygiene after contact with them.
7. Healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, alcohol, drugs, daily light physical activity.
8. After liver surgery:

• it is necessary to follow a diet, table number 5a: a complete diet with a high content of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements, with the exception of fats, cholesterol and coarse fiber;
• take drugs that restore liver cells: essential phospholipids - Essentiale, Enerliv, Livolin, Liv-52 and others.

9. After lung surgery: a month later, special breathing exercises and exercise therapy are recommended to improve lung ventilation.
10. After surgery for brain echinococcosis:

• drugs that improve blood circulation in the brain: Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, Piracetam, and so on;
• physiotherapy aimed at restoring motor functions;
• classes with a speech therapist in violation of the function of speech;
• psychotherapy for mental disorders in a patient.

What to avoid after surgery for echinococcosis

1. From heavy physical activity for 4 months,
2. from physiotherapy earlier than 2 months after surgery,
3. it is not advisable for women to become pregnant,
4. from psycho-emotional stress.

Is it possible to cure echinococcosis with the help of traditional medicine and without surgery?
In the treatment of echinococcosis, traditional medicine without surgery is powerless, since there are no such remedies that would “resolve” echinococcal or alveococcal cysts.
However, traditional medicine can be used as a prevention of relapse after surgery or with multiple echinococcosis, when surgical treatment is not possible.
To do this, use various herbal ingredients that have an antihelminthic effect, as well as containing the necessary substances for recovery in the postoperative period.

Traditional medicine against echinococcus:

1. Wormwood: dry the herb and chop, take from one pinch, gradually increasing the dose to a quarter of a tablespoon, 1 time per day, daily, only 3 weeks; drink plenty of water, after which it is recommended to take wormwood once a week for several years.
2. Lemon zest + ginger in a ratio of 1:1, dry and grind, stir, before taking the mixture, pour 50.0 ml of water or milk, drink in the morning on an empty stomach daily.
3. Lemon + garlic + honey: Chop 1 lemon, add a couple of heads of chopped garlic and 10 ml of honey, pour all this into 1000.0 ml of water, take 30.0 ml on an empty stomach daily, the treatment is long.
4. Infusion of tansy (not for pregnant women): Pour 1 tablespoon of herbs with 200.0 ml of boiling water and leave for 4 hours, take 10 ml 4 times a day 15 minutes before meals, the course of treatment is 1 week.
5. Black Peppercorns: Take 1 pea daily in the morning on an empty stomach with a glass of water.
6. Wormwood + tansy + wormwood: take equal portions of herbs, dry and grind, take 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach with a glass of liquid for 10 days, then repeat the course every few months.

Is echinococcus transmitted from person to person?

A person becomes infected with echinococcus through contact with sick animals and the use of contaminated food (both meat and vegetable).
A person in the life chain of echinococcus is an intermediate host. In this regard, man is on the same niche as pigs, sheep and other herbivores. An intermediate host is needed for the helminth only for maturation of the larvae. Mature larvae enter the body of the final host (dogs, cats, wolves and other predators) after eating meat or internal organs of sick animals. A person does not eat his own kind (at least in a modern civilized society), so he is a dead end of the biological chain for the development of echinococcus. That is, a person cannot become infected from a person by household and contact routes.
Theoretically, from a person with echinococcosis, the surgeon during the operation or the pathologist during the autopsy of a corpse suffering from echinococcosis has a minimal risk of becoming infected. This can happen if doctors do not follow the basic rules of hygiene, which in principle is nonsense.

Does echinococcus occur in children? What are the signs, diagnosis and treatment of echinococcosis in childhood?
Children also suffer from echinococcosis, and their risk of getting helminthic infestations is much higher. After all, kids love to play and kiss with cats and dogs, eat right from the garden and terribly do not like to wash their hands with or without reason.

Another question is when the disease is detected, because the echinococcal cyst grows slowly, for years, and sometimes for tens of years, while the symptoms of the disease are often absent, so echinococcosis is more detected in adolescents and young people. In childhood, echinococcal cysts are detected, in most cases, as an accidental finding (X-ray for a positive Mantoux test, pneumonia, abdominal ultrasound for suspected biliary dyskinesia, and so on).
Echinococcosis is also detected in serological blood tests with suspicion of other helminthic invasions (giardiasis, ascariasis, toxocariasis, and others). And the standard tablet also includes studies on echinococcus. If antibodies to echinococci are detected, additional instrumental studies of the liver, lungs, brain and other organs are carried out.

Signs and symptoms of echinococcosis in children:

• poor appetite as a result of weight loss;
• weakness, lagging behind in studies, impaired concentration;
• subjective sign: teeth grinding in a dream;
• anxiety, irritability, mental agitation in a child for no reason;
• often other types of worms (pinworms, lamblia, roundworms) are also detected;
• pain in the abdomen, more often in the right hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting, impaired stool (diarrhea or constipation);
• yellowness of the skin, various rashes are possible;
• dry cough, more often at night;
• shortness of breath, pain in the chest - with echinococcosis of the lungs;
• severe headaches (with localization of the cyst in the brain);
• an increase in the number of eosinophils in the general blood test and the level of immunoglobulin E in the blood;
• when the cysts rupture, the general condition deteriorates sharply, the body temperature rises, there is a sharp shortness of breath, weakness, hemoptysis is possible, in severe cases, with liver alveococcosis, liver failure develops.

The principles of diagnosing echinococcosis in children are the same as in adults:

• for antibodies to echinococcus;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys;
• chest x-ray;
• computed tomography of the liver, brain and other organs, depending on the clinic of the disease;
• clinical blood and urine tests, liver tests, blood biochemistry and so on.

Treatment of echinococcosis in childhood, as in adults, is most often surgical with the removal of cysts or their opening, removal of the contents and washing of echinococcal cysts. Anthelmintic drugs are also prescribed: Mebendazole, Albendazole and their derivatives for a long period (up to 10 months) according to individual schemes.
Recovery in the postoperative period in children is even easier than in adults, since they have more developed compensatory mechanisms and regenerative and healing abilities.

Indications for serological testing for worms:

• detection of eggs of any worms in feces or scrapings;
• evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment for echinococcosis and follow-up after treatment;
• prolonged eosinophilia (an increase in the level of eosinophils by more than 6% in the general blood test);
• deficiency anemia (low hemoglobin);
• any diseases of the biliary system and intestines;
• poor appetite, insufficient height and low weight of the child;
• irritability, fatigue, grinding teeth in a dream for no reason;
• itching in the anus or labia, long-term urinary tract infections (urethritis, vulvitis, etc.);
• manifestations of allergies without an obvious external allergen (prolonged cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, bouts of bronchospasm, skin rashes, and so on);
• pneumonia, not amenable to standard antibiotic therapy for more than 3 weeks, and some other individual indications.

What indicates a positive result of the presence of antibodies to echinococcus

Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys;
chest x-ray;
general blood and urine tests;
feces and scraping for the presence of worm eggs;
if necessary, computed tomography of the head and so on.

If these factors influenced the result of the analysis, then it is necessary to repeat serological studies for echinococcus in 2-3 months.

How to recognize echinococcus in your pet (dog, cat, sheep, pig)

Echinococcosis in dogs and cats

Symptoms of echinococcosis in dogs and cats:

• poor appetite;
• violation of the stool in the form of diarrhea;
• weight loss of the animal;
• the coat of such animals is dull, massively climbs;
• from playful animals they become lethargic, tired, sleepy;
• cats and dogs begin to intensively lick the area of ​​the anus, rub this area against the ground or wall;
• in the general blood test, the number of eosinophils was hung, the level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes was lowered.

Echinococcosis in sheep, pigs and other livestock

Sheep, pigs, cows and other livestock, like humans, are intermediate hosts of echinococcus, the manifestations of this disease are very similar to those in humans. That is, cattle form echinococcal cysts, most often in the liver and lungs.

Symptoms of echinococcosis in sheep, cows, pigs and other livestock:

• an asymptomatic course of the disease is often observed, which is associated with the slaughter of livestock at the age of 1-2 years, during which time echinococcal cysts do not reach large sizes and, therefore, do not cause symptoms;
• livestock fall - animals die, and only when their carcasses are opened, echinococcal cysts can be detected;
• cough, shortness of breath (with echinococcosis of the lungs);
• refusal to eat, weight loss, diarrhea (with liver echinococcosis);
• positive intradermal Casoni test (a special diagnostic test for the detection of antibodies to echinococcus).

When slaughtering and eating the meat of such animals, it is necessary to carefully examine the internal organs, especially the liver and lungs. The change in their color, size, wrinkling, the presence of various bubbles and other inclusions should alert. Suspicious organs must be disposed of. The meat of such animals, before it hits the table, must undergo thorough heat treatment. During the butchering of the carcass, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly, thoroughly process boards, knives, axes and other cutting items.

Perhaps many of you have already heard about a disease called echinococcosis. Although, it is unlikely that you know the details. For example, what is it? Reasons for the development of the disease? What are its symptoms? What is its danger? Information about this will be useful to many readers.

As a result of the disease, cysts are formed, the spread of which is accompanied by damage to various organs, which, naturally, causes a violation of their functioning.

Important. If treatment is not started on time, the disease becomes the cause of severe and dangerous complications.

The process of reproduction goes like this. Containing eggs, the segments periodically come off, due to which they find themselves in the external environment, going out with the feces of the animal. In the human body, a tapeworm can exist only in the form of a larva, which looks like a multi-chamber or single-chamber bubble, respectively, in the lungs or in the liver.

The bubble or otherwise the echinococcal cyst has two shells: external and internal. Inside it contains a liquid in which there are scolexes (new embryos). In the inner shell there are special areas that are distinguished by the ability to produce new larvae. Slowly but surely, the bladder expands, simultaneously compressing the surrounding tissues, thereby disrupting their normal functioning.

In its maturation, the helminth passes through several stages, passing one into another. Its final host among domestic animals is usually a dog, although it can sometimes be found in a cat. "Adult" individuals live in the intestines of these animals. Eggs, along with feces, come out and end up on the ground, in water, vegetables, fruits, that is, wherever feces fall. Then their distribution paths diverge slightly.

There may be several options here. Some of the eggs are ingested by small rodents - mice, rats, muskrats. Having penetrated the intestines, they enter the bloodstream and, together with it, end up in the liver. There they begin to ripen. Then the rodents become the prey of other wild animals. Thus, they are already infected. Game killed during the hunt can become a source of infection, especially when hunters do not roast it well before eating it.

Another part of the eggs enters the intestines of animals that are kept as agricultural, for example, pigs, goats, sheep, cattle or small cattle. This can occur when eating grass, contaminated feed, infected water. Once inside the animal's body, the larvae similarly enter the lungs, liver, and less often other organs. Human infection with echinococcosis can easily occur as a result of eating animal meat that is not properly processed.

Another way to spread, and probably one of the most important, is the violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, if an adult or a child eats fresh strawberries without first washing their hands, or after playing with a pet on the street, also does not wash their hands before eating, then, of course, such people have every chance of catching the disease in question.

The most widespread helminthic diseases caused by echinococcus and similar helminths are in countries with a high level of agricultural development.

Most often, the worm is detected in children. Since they have a much higher chance of infection. We all know how babies don't like to wash their hands. Being under the influence of digestive juices, the embryo sheds the shell and enters the mucous tissues of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). From here, he easily finds himself in the blood and lymph, which "help" him quickly get to his destination: the liver or lungs. However, sometimes other organs are also affected. Then the embryo transforms into a vesicular larva, which is called a cyst.

How to identify?

For a long time, the helminth may not give itself away. Its presence is revealed only when the capsule with it becomes quite large and hard. It begins to compress the internal organs, interfere with the normal functioning of the body.

In the last stages of its formation, such a "neighbor" causes the following symptoms in patients:

• jaundice of varying degrees;
• allergy;
• pain sensations;
• severity in the area of ​​the affected organs;
• hives;
• anaphylactic shock;
• hypersensitivity.

How to identify echinococcosis in humans:

• during a routine examination, an increase in one of the organs is detected;
• a cyst appears (one or more);
• if the capsule is already quite large, then it can become noticeable even to the most infected or be felt during an external examination;
• the patient may notice a general deterioration in well-being.

If you suspect that you have such a problem, you should definitely seek advice from the following specialists:

First, the specialist performs an external examination of the patient. Due to the fact that large blisters have a dense shell, they will be well palpable. Then the patient will have to do an ultrasound and x-ray, take a blood test, and pass the necessary tests.

The very first suspicion of the presence of worms is an important reason for passing the Koni test. The essence of the test is the introduction of sterile echinococcal fluid. A positive reaction is redness at the site of the skin puncture. The method makes it possible to identify the problem in the initial stages and cure with the help of medicines.

Is it transmitted from person to person?

Many people ask: is it possible to catch echinococcus from another patient? In theory, this can happen to the surgeon during the operation. Also at risk is a pathologist who opens the corpse of a patient with echinococcosis. However, this practically does not happen, as specialists always follow the rules of hygiene.

• due to contact with dogs or sheep, if hands are not washed with soap afterwards;
• during dressing of skins after hunting;
• eating vegetables, herbs, fruits, various products on which flies sat;
• drinking water from natural sources (streams, rivers, lakes);
• eating unwashed forest berries.

Helminth eggs accumulate in the soil, and then fall into animal hair, vegetables, water, fruits, berries, and people's hands. If you do not follow the rules of personal hygiene, then the eggs easily end up in the small intestine, where they get rid of their shells. There they, using their hooks, are attached to the walls of the intestine and penetrate through the walls into the blood and lymphatic vessels. Through the hepatic or pulmonary barrier and together with the blood flow, they can sit in any of the organs, forming a cyst (cyst). The cyst then begins to grow and mature.

Most often, the symptoms of this disease are noted only in the initial stage. Single-chamber echinococcus, being inside the organism of the final owner, is able to live from a couple of months to 1 year. In the intermediate host, it can even stay for several years. The highest probability of contracting echinococcus exists among agricultural workers.

Useful video

Echinococcosis is a very dangerous disease. It is very important to carry out timely diagnosis and prescription of therapeutic therapy. After the removal of the cyst and the course of treatment, the patient is registered for four years. Only at the end of this period, the patient is removed from the register, provided there are no signs of the disease.

Watch the video! Echinococcosis is a deadly disease for humans.