Among its types:

1. Echinococcus granulosus, the definitive host is the dog. This species is common in South America, the Mediterranean countries, southeastern Russia, central Asia, Australia, and Africa. It is characterized by the formation of complete, septate cysts.

2. Echinococcus multilocularis, the definitive host is the fox. This species is common in North America, as well as along the Canadian border, central Europe (Germany and Austria), and in Asia, Russia, and Siberia. It is characterized by the formation of cysts with numerous septa.

Symptoms of Echinococcus

Many people can be treated with anti-worm medications. A procedure may also be tried, involving inserting a needle through the skin into the cyst. The contents of the cyst are removed (aspirated) using the needle. The medication is then injected through the needle to kill the tapeworm. This treatment is not for cysts in the lungs. Surgery is the best treatment for large cysts, those that are infected, or those located in organs such as the heart and brain.

Treatment for these cysts usually involves suctioning and removing the cyst walls and contents. The procedure can be performed laparoscopically or openly, depending on the location and ease of access to the cysts.

If the cyst is small, calcified, and not causing symptoms, no treatment is necessary. In other cases, surgery to remove the cyst can be combined with ongoing medication (eskazole, albendazole).

During surgery, care must be taken not to spread the cyst contents, as any contact between the body and the cyst contents could trigger a severe allergic reaction called an anaphylactoid reaction.