Upper abdominal pain

Upper abdominal pain can often occur in the context of an infection with the fox tapeworm. It is an unspecific symptom and is caused by the infection of the liver. They can be an indication of numerous other – and significantly more common – diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, gallstones, gall bladder inflammation or pancreatitis.

Jaundice

Jaundice is also a possible symptom of alveolar echinococcosis. This describes the yellowing of the skin and eyes (the white of the eyes (sclera) turns yellow). In technical jargon, this is called jaundice.

It can have various causes. In a fox tapeworm infection, the most common cause of jaundice is a spread of the pathogen that causes a bile stasis. The bile pigment bilirubin cannot flow off with the bile as usual and the skin turns yellow.

Portal Vein Hypertension

Portal vein hypertension describes an increase in pressure in the portal vein. The portal vein is a large vein formed by the confluence of several veins that collect blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen and return it to the heart via the liver. In case of infection with the fox tapeworm, the cause of the increased pressure in the portal vein is due to the compression of a vein.

The main possible complications of portal vein hypertension are The formation of esophageal varices with the risk of life-threatening bleeding in the area of the esophagus. It can also lead to a lack of detoxification function through the liver, as the blood can no longer flow sufficiently through the liver. This can lead to encephalopathy. This means that those affected can become conspicuous by psychological symptoms such as confusion, disorientation and severe tremor. A heaptic encephalopathy is often fatal if left untreated.

What treatment options are available?

Depending on how early the disease was diagnosed and how far advanced it is, there are different therapeutic approaches. In most cases a drug therapy is necessary. The drugs belong to the group of benzimidazoles.

The active ingredients albendazole and mebendazole are used. These inhibit the growth of parasites. According to current knowledge, however, they do not kill the parasites in the process.

Since they only inhibit the growth, they must be taken permanently in some cases, otherwise the pathogens continue to multiply. Since many patients are diagnosed very late, the only alternative therapy that can bring about a cure is surgery. If the pathogens have already spread via the bloodstream to numerous organs, i.e. have metastasized, surgery is no longer advisable, as is the case with cancer. As a rule, a drug therapy is carried out.