granulosus

Granulosus commonly refers to Echinococcus granulosus, a parasitic cestode in the family Taeniidae that causes cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease) in humans and a range of livestock and wild canids. The adult tapeworm measures only a few millimeters and resides in the small intestine of canids, especially dogs. Its eggs are passed with feces and can contaminate soil, water, and vegetation.

In its life cycle, eggs ingested by intermediate hosts such as sheep, goats, cattle, or humans release oncospheres that migrate from the intestinal wall to organs, most often the liver or lungs, where they develop into hydatid cysts. These cysts grow slowly and may contain numerous protoscoleces and daughter cysts. Rupture or leakage of cyst contents can provoke anaphylactic reactions and disseminated infection.

Humans acquire infection incidentally through contact with infected dogs or ingestion of contaminated food or water. Most infections are asymptomatic for years; symptoms depend on cyst size and location, commonly causing abdominal discomfort with liver cysts or respiratory symptoms with lung cysts.

Diagnosis relies on imaging, with ultrasound as a primary tool for liver involvement, complemented by CT or MRI. Serologic tests (such as ELISA and immunoblot) assist in confirmation. Treatment options include surgical removal of cysts, percutaneous aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR), and antiparasitic therapy with albendazole or mebendazole, often used pre- or post-operatively.

Prevention emphasizes interrupting transmission between dogs and livestock: regular canine deworming with praziquantel, proper offal disposal, good hygiene, meat inspection, and, in some regions, livestock vaccination.