Publication:

Hydatid disease-still endemic in the southern region of state of Rajasthan,India:a clinical study carried out in tertiary care hospital

Background Hydatid disease is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus species of Cestode parasite, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis are the species commonly affecting the humans. It is characterised by slowly growing cyst in visceral organ, commonly involving liver and lungs. Dog is definitive host and human are incidental host. It occurs in livestock like sheep and cattle raising population in world. In India it is more prevalent in states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and is also endemic in state of Rajasthan. The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical picture and different organs involved by Echinococcus parasite. The objective to find out the burden of hydatid cyst disease that has been eradicated in many parts of world,but still prevalent in many developing countries including India.

Methods A retrospective  review of 155 patients suffering from Hydatid cyst disease of different organs was done by collecting data from indoor sheets in Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur admitted from 2010 to 2015 i.e. 6 years.

Results A total of 155 patients with hydatid disease were identified in 6 years from 2010 to 2015. There were 96 male (61.93%) and 59 female (38.06%) patients.  Liver was the most affected organ-98 (62.23%), next was lung         43 (27.74%), rest were other organs.Majority of cases were in third decade-63 (40.64%).

Conclusions Hydatid disease still is problem and burden for the society. It is difficult for the practitioners to diagnose the disease owing to its non-specific clinical presentation and lack of awareness in society about parasite,which otherwise a preventable disease.