glossary

Echinococcus

Definition Echinococcus

Echinococcushol

Echinococcus n. a genus of small parasitic tapeworms that reach a maximum lenth of only 8mm. Adults are found in the intestines of dogs , wolves, or jackals. If the eggs are swallowed by man, who can act as a secondary host, the resulting larvea penetrate the intestine and settle in the lungs, live, or brain to form large cysts, usually 5-10cm in diameter (see hydatid disease). Two species causing this condition are E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.