A pseudo-outbreak of echinococcosis in Wisconsin

1Echinococcosis refers to infection caused by larval stage cestodes of the genus Echinococcus. It typically manifests as a cystic mass of the liver, although cysts may be found in the lung, other visceral organs, the brain, and bones. The diagnosis of echinococcosis relies heavily on serologic testing, which can be deceiving in locales where the infection is uncommon. We recently encountered a patient with suspected echinococcosis whose diagnosis in the patient and her family members was complicated by confusing serologic results suggesting an epidemic of echinococcal infection.