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World journal of surgery2001; 25(1); 4-9; doi: 10.1007/s002680020001

Hydatidosis: dynamics of transmission.

Abstract: Hydatidosis is a widespread zoonosis infecting a large number of animals and humans. Echinococcus granulosus has the smallest taenia adult of the cestodes but with the largest larva. Its morphologic and biologic features were identified with DNA analysis. Different strains were separated according to the intermediate hosts: sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, camels. Definitive host are canids, mostly dogs, where the worm grows to adulthood in several months. The eggs are scattered in the pasture by wind and water and are ingested by various hosts. The larvae migrate through the intestinal wall and penetrate the organs, mostly liver and lungs. The eggs survive several days outside, depending on the temperature, but numerous eggs die in nature because they cannot resist desiccation and extreme temperatures. Dissemination is accomplished by dogs. In Turkana (Kenya) the incidence of hydatidosis is high because of the close relationship between the population and dogs and the habit of leaving their dead bodies in the grasslands. In rural areas, the custom of slaughtering sheep at home, among the dogs, is an important dissemination factor. The circumstances of transmission vary according to the country. In Europe the natural life cycle of E. granulosus granulosus involves dogs as the definitive host and sheep as the intermediate host. In northern Europe E. granulosus borealis infects the canids and deer. E. granulosus canadensis infects wolves and reindeer, but there are no human cases. In the endemic Mediterranean area, sheep and dromedaries are the intermediate hosts. In South America, the life cycle of E. granulosus develops among several definitive and intermediate hosts. Hence the dynamics of transmission vary according to the countries with different hosts.
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Publication Date: 2001-02-24 PubMed ID: 11213154DOI: 10.1007/s002680020001Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the transmission dynamics of Hydatidosis, a widespread disease caused by the Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm. The disease is disseminated through animals particularly dogs and affects humans as well.

Research Findings on Hydatidosis Transmission

The study details how Hydatidosis, a zoonosis (a disease transmitted from animals to humans), is transmitted from its definitive host to intermediate hosts and ultimately to humans.

  • The primary host of the causative agent, Echinococcus granulosus, is canids, especially dogs. The worms grow to adults in these hosts within some months.
  • Once matured, the eggs of the parasite are scattered across pastures via wind and water where they are ingested by intermediary hosts. Although the eggs can survive outside for several days, fluctuating temperatures lead to the death of many eggs.
  • These eggs then hatch larvae that penetrate the hosts’ organ walls, often in the liver or lungs. Their interaction with different hosts determines the occurrence of different strains. The identified intermediate hosts include sheep, horses, pigs, camels, and cattle.

Regional Transmission Patterns

The researchers found that the dynamics of this disease’s transmission vary based on regional factors.

  • In Turkana, Kenya, the disease is prevalent due to the locals’ close relationship with dogs and the practice of leaving dead bodies in grasslands.
  • In rural areas where sheep are slaughtered at home, the presence of dogs aids the dissemination of the disease.
  • In Europe, the life cycle of E. granulosus involves dogs and sheep as the definitive and intermediate hosts respectively.
  • In Northern Europe, E. granulosus borealis infects canines and deers, while E. granulosus canadensis infects wolves and reindeer with no human cases recorded.
  • In the Mediterranean area, sheep and dromedaries serve as the intermediate hosts while in South America, several hosts partake in the life cycle of E. granulosus, hence causing the dynamics of transmission to vary.

This research suggests that the spread of Hydatidosis is subject to regional variables, noting the critical role of definitive and intermediate hosts in the life cycle and transmission of E. granulosus.

Cite This Article

APA
Bourée P. (2001). Hydatidosis: dynamics of transmission. World J Surg, 25(1), 4-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002680020001

Publication

World journal of surgery
ISSN: 0364-2313
NlmUniqueID: 7704052
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 1
Pages: 4-9

Researcher Affiliations

Bourée, P
  • Department of Parasitology, Bicetre Hospital, Paris XI University, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France. patrice.bouree@bct.ap-hop-paris.fr

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Echinococcosis / transmission
  • Echinococcus / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology

References

This article includes 42 references

Citations

This article has been cited 25 times.
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