Changes

{{unfinished}}

{{unfinished}}

== Alveolar Hydatid Disease (''E. multilocularis'') ==

==Overview==

[[Image:Rat infected with E. multilocularis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Rat infected with ''E. multilocularis'' - Dr. I. Kagan]]

''E. multiocularis'' is not present in the UK but is endemic in central Europe and North America. It is zoonotic and so presents a major health problem in Europe (including Switzerland where urabn foxes are now infected) haveing spread from 4 countries in the 1980s to being found in 12 countries now. This has been attributed to the anti-rabies campaign which has increased the number of foxes which are commonly found as the definitive host. Humans can act as intermediate hosts if eggs are ingested causing the formation of hydatid cysts in the liver, these rapidly invade the liver and are inoperable.

This parasite does not occur in the UK. It is largely restricted to forest areas of central Europe (including Switzerland where urban foxes are also infected) and North America. It is a significant public health problem and is spreading across Europe, where 12 countries are now affected compared with four in the 1980’s. The metacestode is the alveolar (or multilocular) cyst. Human infections are particularly dangerous as daughter cysts bud off externally as well as internally from the germinal layer so that the cyst rapidly infiltrates the liver like an invasive tumour, and is inoperable. Dogs, and to a lesser extent cats, can become infected with the adult tapeworm, but the main epidemiological cycle involves the fox as the final host and microtine rodents (particularly voles) as intermediate hosts. The latter have a very short life-span – hence the rapid growth-rate of the alveolar cyst in intermediate hosts, including humans. The anti-rabies campaign in Europe has led to a large increase in the number of foxes and, consequently, of infected rodents.

[[Category:Taeniidae]]

[[Category:Taeniidae]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]