Presentation of secondary parasitic infection 37 years after primary infection

Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus (EG) is a neglected pathology that causes cystic echinococcosis and primarily affects the liver and lung. EG infects ~6 million worldwide and mortality is quoted as 2-4% per 100 000 inhabitants. The increase in human traffic from endemic regions demands clinician's awareness. Dogs are the most common definitive host for the EG tapeworm. Human infection requires ingestion of fecal parasitic eggs. Primary infection causes cysts to appear in affected organs, rupture of which leads to secondary infection. Ultrasound remains the mainstay of diagnosis. Treatment can be either; chemotherapeutic, radiological, surgical or a combination depending on the organ affected.