Cystic echinococcosis in the Americas

Echinococcus granulosus and related genotypic variants, the agents of cystic hydatid disease, occur widely in the American continents from Alaska and Northern Canada in North America to Tierra del Fuego in South America. Here we review the historical and current distribution and prevalence of these infections throughout the American countries and the results of programs to control or eliminate the infection. (C) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.