Echinococcosis/tapeworms

During their development from egg to larva to adult tapeworm, tapeworms change their host several times (so-called host change). Infected humans serve as intermediate hosts for the tapeworms. Usually, small rodents in the case of fox tapeworm or sheep in the case of dog tapeworm are the intermediate hosts. Affected humans are so-called false hosts. The final hosts are foxes or dogs, rarely cats. The final hosts excrete the tapeworm eggs in their faeces. Infestation in humans is very rare and life-threatening. Initially, it is painless and symptom-free. The pathogens mainly infect the liver or lungs. The larvae of the tapeworm develop there. They grow very slowly and destroy the organ. More than ten years can pass between infection and the first symptoms.

Various sources of infection are possible for human infestation by the fox tapeworm or dog tapeworm.

• Eating unwashed food that grows close to the ground, for example berries, wild berries, mushrooms, vegetables, lettuce and fallen fruit.
• direct contact with dogs, wolves, foxes or cats
• Contact with contaminated soil

People who are infected with dog or fox tapeworm often do not experience any symptoms for a long time. Usually, many years pass before the first symptoms appear. The symptoms differ depending on which tapeworm a person is infected with.

The diagnosis and suspicion are made "clinically" on the basis of the symptoms. The pathogen is detected as a smear in a culture medium. An antitoxin is administered as soon as there is a suspicion. If the airways are blocked by the swelling of the trachea, a tracheotomy must be performed. Strict bed rest for 5 to 6 weeks is necessary.

Symptoms of fox tapeworm
Infestation with fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) progressively destroys the liver. The infection usually runs for years without symptoms. The most common symptom of advanced alveolar echinococcosis is non-specific upper abdominal discomfort. By the time we detect the infection with the fox tapeworm, the destruction of the liver is often already far advanced.

Symptoms of dog tapeworm
Infection with dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus) usually leads to the first symptoms when the cyst (hydatid) formed by the larvae is so large that it displaces healthy tissue. The symptoms vary depending on which organ is affected and how large the cyst is. In 70 percent of cases of dog tapeworm, the larvae settle in the liver. However, the larvae can also infect other organs such as the lungs (20 percent) or, less frequently, the brain. Possible symptoms of cystic echinococcosis:

• Liver affection: Feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal pain, jaundice and fatigue.
• Lung infestation: difficulty breathing and coughing

You can prevent an infestation by the fox and dog tapeworm by following these tips:

• Do not eat unwashed plants such as wild berries, wild mushrooms, lettuce, vegetables or fallen fruit.
• Ensure hygienic handling of potential end hosts (dog, cat).
• Wash hands after direct contact with potential end hosts.
• Deworm your pets (dog, cat) regularly.