Echinococcosis Health Article

KEY TERMS

Allergenic—A substance capable of causing an allergic reaction.

Cholangitis—Infection or inflammation of the bile ducts; often causes abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice.

Computed tomography (CT) scan—A specialized x-ray procedure in which cross-sections of the area in question can be examined in detail.

Cyst—A protective sac that includes either fluid or the cell of an organism. The cyst enables many organisms to survive in the environment for long periods of time without need for food or water.

Embryo—The very beginning stages of development of an organism.

Jaundice—The yellow-greenish coloring of the skin and eyes due to the presence of bile pigments. The presence of jaundice is usually, but not always, a sign of liver disease.

Tapeworm—An intestinal parasite that attaches to the intestine or travels to other organs such as the liver and lungs.

Ultrasound—A noninvasive procedure based on changes in sound waves of a frequency that cannot be heard, but respond to changes in tissue composition.