Echinococcus:
Echinococcus is a genus of parasitic tapeworms that includes several species, with Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis being the most clinically significant. These tapeworms have a complex life cycle involving both definitive and intermediate hosts. The adult tapeworm resides in the small intestine of carnivores, such as dogs or foxes, while the larval stages can cause serious infections in intermediate hosts, typically herbivores and humans.

Diseases caused by Echinococcus:
Echinococcosis, also known as hydatid disease, is the disease caused by infection with Echinococcus species. There are two primary forms of echinococcosis: cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. CE leads to the formation of fluid-filled cysts in various organs, most commonly the liver and lungs. AE, on the other hand, can infiltrate and spread through the liver, mimicking the growth pattern of a malignant tumor.

Detection and Diagnosis of Echinococcosis:
Diagnosing echinococcosis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to visualize the cysts and assess the extent of the infection. Serological tests, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) like the assays available here, can detect specific antibodies against Echinococcus antigens. Biopsy or fine-needle aspiration may be performed for definitive diagnosis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays can confirm the presence of Echinococcus DNA.