Hydatid Disease

Hydatid disease, also known as echinococcosis, is a parasitic infection caused by tapeworms from the genus Echinococcus and affects a significant percentage of the world’s population. Four species of Echinococcus are known to infect humans. Among these, E. granulosus and E. multilocularis are the most common, responsible for causing cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. In contrast, E. vogeli and E. oligarthrus lead to polycystic echinococcosis, although human incidence is relatively rare. Hydatid disease is a rare clinical condition that can affect nearly any organ in the body. This suggests that clinicians from various specialties, particularly those working in endemic regions, may encounter hydatid disease in their practice.