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Echinococcosisis a disease caused by Echinococcus spp. cestode parasites. There are more than20 species of this parasite, Echinococcus (E.) spp. Four important species are E. granulosus (Batsch, 1786) that causes“Cystic echinococcosis” (CE), E.multilocularis (Leuckart, 1863) that causes “Alveolar echinococcosis” (AE), E. oligarthrus (Diesing, 1863) and E. vogeli (Rausch and Bernstein, 1972).Definitive host of the parasite, are wide-spread in the world, for instance;fox, cat, wolf, raccoon–dog ( Nyctereutesprocyonoides albus ), American cervid strain (European or Fennoscandiancervid strain), pigs, lions (Panthera leo), jackals ( Canis mesomelas and C. aureus ),wild canids (eg. hunting dogs ( Lycaonpictus ), hyaenas ( Crocuta crocuta ). Echinococcus spp live in theintestines of definitive hosts. The parasites are transmitted to intermediatehosts by eggs that are spread around by the feces of the definitive host.Intermediate hosts are again very wide-spread such as humans, sheep, buffalo,horse, cattle, camel, pig Although affected organs in the intermediate hosts varyaccording to species, the liver, lungs, brain, kidney are commonly involvedorgans. The disease can last for 20-30 years. Itis more common in the northern hemisphere of the world. It is especially commonin Asia and Europe. Echinococcosis has a global distribution with an estimated2–3 million people affected and 200,000 new cases diagnosed annually. WorldHealth Organization (WHO) accepted "echinococcosis" as one of the 17neglected diseases for year 2050 and included this parasitic disease in"elimination program". the World Health Organization/Food andAgriculture Organization included Taeniasolium , E. granulosus , and E. multilocularis in the food borneparasitic diseases. Thereare two main issues in “echinococcosis” that inspired us to write this book.Firstly, it is a “neglected disease”. Secondly, due to the rough use of industry,the pollution of our world's waters and the increase in global warming cause anincrease the possibility of the spread of ... |