Echinococcosis

Tamarozzi, Francesca; Manciulli, Tommaso; Brunetti, Enrico; Vuitton, Dominique A.

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-00303-5_8

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Certain parasites are key pathogens to reconstruct present and past human–animal interactions linked to zoonotic parasite infections, defined by evolutionary, cultural, and ecological factors (Ledger & Mitchell, 2022). In the case of cestode infection by E. granulosus (i.e., hydatid worm or dog tapeworm), adult parasites are typically found in dogs and other canids, with mammals as intermediate hosts (including humans as occasional dead‐end host) (Roberts et al, 2013; Tamarozzi et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Humans can be accidentally infected by ingesting E. granulosus eggs from contaminated soil, leading to the development of a hydatid cyst as an anatomical lesion in the larval stage of the parasite (Tamarozzi et al, 2022). Once in the intermediate host, the cyst can undergo a process of degeneration and calcification (Conchedda et al, 2018; Hosch et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Two cases of cystic echinococcosis reported from al‐Andalus cemeteries (southern Iberia): Insights into zoonotic diseases in Islamic Medieval Europe

López‐Gijón,

Duras,

Maroto‐Benavides

et al. 2023

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The identification of a calcified hydatid cyst in the bioarcheological record is key to the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (i.e., hydatid disease), a parasitic infection caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. This zoonosis can be linked to human–canid interactions, given the reproductive cycle of the parasite (from canids to herbivores/humans as intermediate hosts), and it is commonly associated with agropastoral communities in both the past and present. However, it is not easy to identify a calcified hydatid cyst in the archeological record because of preservation problems and its similarity with other calcifications of biological and geological origin. We report the presence of two fragmented ovoidal calcified formations associated with human remains in different medieval Islamic cemeteries from the Kingdom of Granada in al‐Andalus (Southern Iberia, 13th–15th centuries AD). These formations were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The localization, morphology, and composition of the calcifications indicate that they are hydatid cysts caused by E. granulosus, representing the first evidence of cystic echinococcosis in Islamic Medieval Europe. Our results are in line with archeological and historical records of human–animal interactions and agropastoral practices in al‐Andalus, and they highlight the importance of analyzing calcified masses in the osteoarcheological record.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%