Structure of hydatid cyst due to Echinococcus oligarthrus in the intermediary host Proechimys c.f. guairae in Casanare, Colombia

Abstract

lnfection by larvae of Echinococcus parasites is a serious human and animal disease known as echinococcosis or hydatid disease. The cystic lesions may damage different organs, mainly the liver, spleen and lungs. E. granulosus, E vogeli and E. oligarfhrus have been described in South America. In Colombia. hydatid disease both in humans and animals is produced mainly by E. vogeli. In this paper, we describe in detail the morphological structure of hydatid polycysts found in a rodent, Proechimys c.fguairae, captured in La Plata, in Pore municipality. Casanare department, in the eastern plains of the country, during studies carried out on Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus reservoirs. The autopsy revealed multiple cysts in liver, spleen and lungs. Most of them were mature cysts with large number of protoscolices, whose size and that of its hooks, corresponded with those described for Echinococcus oligarfhrus. We illustrate and describe the morphological characteristics ofthese larvae, using both light and scanning electron microscopes. We also briefly review the observations ade on echinococcosis in Colombia.