Abstract
Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by any of the four types of the Echinococcus tapeworm. Humans are an incidental intermediate host after ingesting the ova but may be endemic (2–6%) in certain areas. The disease manifests as hydatid cysts, commonly found in the liver and lungs, but the cysts can affect virtually any organ. Symptoms including abdominal discomfort and dyspnea usually occur only after the cysts have either become infected, rupture, or grown large enough to compress adjacent structures. Treatment consists of the antiparasitic drug albendazole, cyst drainage, or surgical removal. Pregnancy may affect echinococcosis via immunosuppression allowing growth of cysts, as well as the enlarging uterus compressing cysts. Cyst rupture could precipitate life-threatening anaphylaxis.
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Ross, J., Coleman, L., Murphy, J., Zakowski, M. (2018). Echinococcosis. In: Mankowitz, S. (eds) Consults in Obstetric Anesthesiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59680-8_49
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59680-8_49
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