The epidemiology of hydatidosis with special reference to the Mediterranean area

In the Mediterranean area 2 subspecies of Echinococcus granulosus exist: E. g. equinus and E. g. granulosus. The latter is divided into sheep, cattle, pig and camel strains, the adult forms of which mainly occur in farm-dogs but sometimes in wild canidae. Some of these strains can infect man: namely, the sheep and the pig strain. The infectivity of the cattle strains for man is not certain. The epidemiological cycle is mainly a rural one, but it can become sylvatic or even urban. Thus, the epidemiological features of hydatidosis in the Mediterranean area are not basically different from the general epidemiology of the disease. But extensive rearing of sheep, combined with the carelessness and ignorance of people and with some particular habits, favours the maintenance of the infection.