LSB500 Parasitology Quiz - Cestodes (Answers)

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This specimen is a fluid aspirate from a liver cyst discovered upon X-ray of a 45 year old itinerant farm worker recently migrated from New Zealand.


1) Identify the parasite indicated (genus and species)

Echinococcus granulosus

2) Name the normal host(s) of this parasite

Normally between definitive caniid hosts and intermediate herbivore host (eg. dogs and sheep)

3) Does the fluid aspirate (unfixed) pose an infection risk to health workers (assuming he has no other infections) ?

Although the protoscolices are capable of seeding new cysts, it is unlikely that health workers are at risk if reasonable safety procedures are followed

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