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''Echinococcus granulosus'' is an important zoonosis as its metacestode, the hydatid cyst, can develop in humans, as well as in many other animals. The hydatid cyst can grow to the size of a ping-pong ball in sheep, a tennis ball in horses, and a football in man. The metacestode of the related ''Echinococcus multilocularis'' (the alveolar cyst) is even more dangerous, but fortunately does not occur in the UK.  

''Echinococcus granulosus'' is an important zoonosis as it's metacestode, the hydatid cyst, can develop in humans, as well as in many other animals. The hydatid cyst can grow to the size of a ping-pong ball in sheep, a tennis ball in horses, and a football in man. The metacestode of the related ''Echinococcus multilocularis'' (the alveolar cyst) is even more dangerous, but fortunately does not occur in the UK.  

==Hosts==

==Hosts==

There may be several thousand adult tapeworms in an infected animal. The scolex is deeply buried in an intestinal crypt, so microscopic inspection of a mucosal scraping is necessary to detect infection.

There may be several thousand adult tapeworms in an infected animal. The scolex is deeply buried in an intestinal crypt, so microscopic inspection of a mucosal scraping is necessary to detect infection.

The terminal proglottid forms approximately half the total length. The proglottids are shed in the faeces.  The oncosphere are capable of surviving in the environment, for up to two years.  They are then ingested by the intermediate host e.g. the sheep, where they penetrate the gut lining.

The terminal '''proglottid''' forms approximately half the total length. The proglottids are shed in the faeces.  The '''oncosphere''' are capable of surviving in the environment, for up to two years.  They are then ingested by the intermediate host e.g. the sheep, where they penetrate the gut lining.

The oncosphere then travels to the liver and the lungs, where the hydatid then begins growth.  This is a slow process taking around 6-12 months, and the cysts are capable of growing up to 20cm in length.

The oncosphere then travels to the liver and the lungs, where the hydatid then begins growth.  This is a slow process taking around 6-12 months, and the cysts are capable of growing up to 20cm in length.

[[Category:Taeniidae]]

[[Category:Taeniidae]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

[[Category:Respiratory Parasitic Infections]][[Category:Cattle]]

[[Category:Respiratory Parasitic Infections]][[Category:Cattle]]

[[Category:Sheep]]

[[Category:Sheep]]