Western Predator Control Association

Western Predator Control Association

1200 Twin Lakes Road

P.O. Box 235

Wisdom, Montana 59761

(406) 363-1653 or 689-3125

“

"Worldwide Evolution of the Predator Disease Echinococcus granulosus and Its Impacts”

(Article II of XI)

By

Clayton [Clay] H. Dethlefsen, AS, BS, MBA, MMS, PI, PS, IT

President and Executive Coordinator,

and

Dr. Jack K. Ward, DVM

Medical Director

Release Dated: January 2, 2011

“Worldwide Evolution of the Predator Disease Echinococcus granulosus

And it's Impacts”

Article I of this series addressed the establishment and Life Cycle of Echinococcus granulosus in the gray wolf. This second article briefly addresses the world’s history and the impact of four of the biological species of Echinococcus, ultimately focusing on E granulosus and its insertion into our environment.

These parasitic diseases have evolved and matured for centuries. Some of the earliest cases have been found in Egyptian historical records. We know the Pharaoh’s Egyptians had to contend with the tape worm Echinococcus. What isn’t clear is if they had to deal with the E granulosus, multilocularis, oligarthrus and vogeli strains all together, or only one or two of them. Today the world has all four, and its citizens need to be very concerned. In more recent years, studies have been conducted and reports published that examined all four of these diseases. The conclusion in these reports is E oligarthrus and E vogeli, although devastating, occur mainly in South and southern Central America. However, the same cannot be said for E granulosus and E multilocularis. 1970’s Utah had to contend with a significant outbreak of Echinococcus, and as recently as 2006 and 2007 three (3) cases in humans was reported through their Public Health System.

A medical thesis was completed (2003) entitled “Is Eradication an Option for Nepal.” This publication informed the world of the evolvement, occurrence, resolution, treatment and environmental conditions which allowed the E granulosus strain to prosper and infect major areas of the world, including nearly 25% of the Nepalese population. In addition, hundreds of medical reports on humans that contracted Hydatid Cyst Disease (the larva phase of this tape worm), have been published worldwide by medical professionals with the majority being published by doctors in the Middle East and north and south central Europe.

The countries of Turkey, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran lead the way in examining and treating Echinococcus granulosus. Additional countries are adding to the knowledge we now have about the devastation E. granulosus and E multilocularis are reaping. Hence, there are no doubts these diseases present a worldwide Health, Safety and Welfare problem. More importantly for us, they are creating a very local one.

Of these two species, E granulosus is now solidly established in our Northwest, including Alaska, and Canada. Although E multilocularis is usually the most lethal, E granulosus, because of its widespread geographical and concentrated ecological distribution, is now considered to be more infectious to humans. Children worldwide seem to be the main group infected, with infants frequently being diagnosed with Hydatid Cyst of this type in their brain. In a review of over 123 specifically selected cases (age group from 2 to 25), Hydatid Cysts had developed in the patients’ lungs 45% of the time, in their livers 62% of the time and in their brain 17% of the time.

The treatment in these cases was to remove the cysts by surgery. Brain surgery, because of cyst size, location and the youth of the patients, was the most dangerous. Drug therapy, before, during, and after, surgery is an essential requirement for a positive patient outcome.

Albendazole and its sister derivatives, along with chemotherapy, are a post operative must. Despite the high number of surgeries, only a few patients needed removal of more than one Hydatid Cyst, and only one brain surgery resulted in death. This death was caused by anaphylactic shock brought on during the surgery by a bursting cyst.

Medical reports state the incubation period for E granulosus’ Hydatid Cyst is usually 5 or more years, and over 72% of patients remain symptom free for 10 or more years. Additionally, normal medical findings state cysts grow from 1 cm to 3 cm per year, and less than 10% of those affected have cysts in the brain. So the questions are:

a. how does an infant contract the disease, and

b. how does the disease grow in such a short period of time to necessitate an infants’ need for immediate surgery?

• We know the cysts seek capillary beds in their hosts and set up “housekeeping;" 
•  We know the Hydatid Cysts evolve the same in humans as in other ungulates [particularly Cervid animals];
• We know in any embryo the brain forms early and rapidly. 

In a child of 2 or 3 years of age, the skull has not fully developed and the brain’s capillary beds are concentrated and fertile with nutrients. This is an attractive target for the Hydatid Cyst. Even a small Cyst in an infant’s brain could cause intense pressure resulting in major developmental problems. Motor skill retardation, extremity numbness, mobility development problems, speech developmental issues and other impacts are obvious in the cases reviewed. These conditions, in countries outside the United States, are cause for intensive medical examinations which could lead to early discovery and treatment of the disease if the physician was looking for Hydatid Cysts. Such appears to be the situation with these 123 patients.

The disease is considered to be so rare in the United States that our physicians do not deliberately examine for Hydatid Cyst. Hence, discovery is by accident rather than by design. This is an extremely dangerous oversight. Many of our loved ones may be, or are now being, exposed to the disease while hunting, fishing, camping or engaging in other outdoor activities.

To complicate matters, many of our service members are returning from areas of the world where the disease is prevalent and infectious. Their exposure is nearly certain. Therefore, under current Health Department Policy, it is inevitable that our service men and women, who served in the Middle East, will not only contract the disease, but that it will go undiagnosed, possibly for years.

Medical reports have sighted that women, infants, and children are more susceptible than men to contracting the Hydatid Cyst Disease. Consequently, the question must be asked: IS IT POSSIBLE AND FEASIBLE THE INFANTS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AND TREATED FOR HYDATID CYSTS ARE CONTRACTING IT IN-UTERO? Further, with E granulosus species being well established in our geographical area, what is the potential impact on our big game populations and Livestock Industry?

These questions warrant serious investigation, and the WPCA has already begun. However, to fully and scientifically address these issues, a capable study staff and funding must be obtained. To accomplish these goals, the WPCA as an educational, scientific research, tax exempt and nonprofit organization is seeking donations and qualified medical and professional participants to add to our existing staff.

To make donations and/or join our professional investigative initiative, or for more complete and specific information or educational classes you may contact the WPCA at 406-363-1653.