Strain identification of Echinococcus granulosus in determining origin of infection in a case of human hydatid disease in Australia.

Viable parasitic material from cysts removed surgically from a human patient was used to differentiate the infecting strain of Echinococcus granulosus from another to which the patient may have been exposed. It was shown that the patient was infected with the Australian mainland domestic strain. The age of the cyst material was estimated by microscopical and histological examinations. Combination of these data with an investigation of the patient's life-history allowed identification of the most likely source of infection. Studies such as this help to define those areas of high risk for human hydatidosis on mainland Australia.