Present in wild rodents and foxes, man can infect himself with the parasitic eggs
THE’Echinococcosi is a small parasitic tensionequipped with both male and female genital apparatus that affects mainly Volpi and small wild rodentsbut it can also attack domestic dogs and cats especially in the countryside areas. This small parasite It is widespread only in the northern hemisphere and can affect man in case of accidental contact with its eggs.
Alveolar echinococcosi: how it spreads
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In the last 25 years in Europe they have registered 4200 cases of human alveolar echinococcosiwhose behavior is very similar to that of a malignant neoplasm for the proliferation of the parasite in the internal organs starting from the guest’s liver. Man can infect himself through Water or food contaminated with egg ingestion. Italy is among the countries with less reports with only 3 cases recorded in 2023, while it is widespread between Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland. The parasite is in particular endemic also in the Balkans, in Türkiye in part of China, in some areas of the USA and Canada. Overall, the cases in the period 2021-23 have increased in Europe but, according to what reports a study coordinated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, is probably underestimated.
the consequences
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On the basis of what emerged in the study, the alveolar echinococcosi is spreading above all in the Alps and in the Baltic countries. More than for its mortality which is low if intercepted and treated in time, the implications related to the infection are concerned. In fact, the affected patient needs care for a lifetime, he often has to undergo a liver transplant and therefore also has a psychological weight to have to bear. When attacking the man The parasite settles in the liver And from there it begins to grow and spread by going to attack the abs, the bones, the lymph nodes, the lungs and the central nervous system.
the disease
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The transmission takes place through the involuntary ingestion of parasitic eggs. There have been cases of infestations remained silent for years, until the cysts caused by the parasite attack no vital organs. There symptomatology can simulate that of a tumorcysts develop or destroy the surrounding circuit causing liver and death failure, the cysts They grow over time and are full of liquid. When they find on the liver cause abdominal pain or palpable masses, if it obstructs a biliary duct it involves jaundice, the breakdown of a duct in the peritoneal cavity or in the lungs brings to fever or urticaria. If they are found in the lungs in case of rupture they cause cough, chest pain and blood loss. To diagnose the presence of alveolar echinococcosi, ultrasounds, slabs to the abdomen are required, also serological tests show the presence of infections. The treatment varies according to the typesurgical resection is ideal and can be curative, it is also useful for complicated lesions with broken cysts or that compress vital structures. If they are asymptomatic, the only observation is enough for non -active cysts, in some cases a pharmacological treatmentall of course under the supervision of a doctor.
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