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The risk of bacterial superinfection of the vital organs of the human body is one of the major complications of hydatid cysts. This was indicated by Dr Ali Fahim Chems Eddine, gastroenterologist, at the Beni Messous University Hospital.
Speaking as part of the hydatid cyst prevention campaign, initiated by the Ministry of Health, the specialist explained that the hydatid cyst is due to the development of cysts corresponding to the larval form of a parasite, a tapeworm called Echinococcus granulosus . “This disease, asymptomatic at first, can only be visible after an ultrasound, which allows us to know the location of the cysts,” he added.
He also explained that, most often, diseases are only diagnosed at the stage of complications. In the most serious cases, “there is a risk of bursting of cysts in the organs, requiring an often heavy and complex surgical operation in order to avoid septic shock likely to endanger the patient’s life.” said the gastroenterologist.
Regarding the symptoms of hydatid cyst, they depend, according to the specialist, on the location of the latter in the body. The infected person may suffer from abdominal pain due to the presence of cysts in the liver or other abdominal organs as well as the risk of jaundice, better known as jaundice, in the case where the cyst compresses the passages. bile. In addition, the infected person may also suffer from respiratory problems such as chronic cough and shortness of breath in the event of lung damage. In other very rare cases, neurological symptoms appear when the brain is affected.
Addressing the routes of transmission of this disease, Dr Ali Fahim Chems Eddine explained that the natural circuit of transmission is that of sheep to dog and vice versa. He was keen to emphasize that there is no direct contamination between the infected organs of the sheep and humans, but rather the contamination occurs from the dog carrying the parasite to humans.
He clarified his remarks by specifying that the Echinococcus parasite responsible for hydatid cyst is mainly transmitted by ingestion of eggs present in food or in water contaminated by the feces of infected dogs. Transmission can also occur through direct contact with infected dogs or objects contaminated with their feces. Poor hygiene practices, particularly when handling animal carcasses, can contribute to the spread of the disease.
A spread which experiences a sharp increase during the Eid-el-Adha period, hence the appeal from the Ministry of Health calls for the respect of certain precautions in order to avoid any risk of contamination.
Dr Ali Fahim Chems Eddine insisted on the need to carefully examine the liver and lungs as well as the other viscera of the sheep, looking for cysts or water balls. In the event that the presence of these cysts is noted, he recommended, to avoid any risk of transmission of parasites, boiling or burning the offal and other viscera of the sheep which carry water balls.
According to him, this method is more effective, especially for residents of urban cities, than burying contaminated sheep organs underground. If the method of burying the offal has been chosen, it is recommended to bury them deeply underground, at least to a depth of 50 cm to prevent stray dogs from digging them up.