Introduction: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease which is caused by tapeworm of genus Echinococcus excreted in the faeces of infected dogs. Aims and Objectives: This study was done to describe the Public health burden of Hydatid disease in local population as this disease causes significant morbidity and mortality. Hydatid disease poses a great health challenge as the cases are usually asymptomatic but can cause life threatening complications if neglected. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study done over a period of 2.5 years in a tertiary care centre in Punjab. Data was collected from the patient requisition forms in the department of pathology and included patient profile, clinical symptoms, investigations and history of exposure to dogs or farm animals. The collected data was tabulated. Results: A total of 21 cases of hydatid cyst were diagnosed histopathologically over a period of 2.5 years. In our study, the most common site of involvement was liver (50-77%), followed by lung (18-35%), abdominal cavity and brain. There were two cases of isolated splenic Hydatid cyst in the study which is a rare site. Most common age group involved was between 20-40 years. Conclusions: The disease presents with hydatid cyst and other varied symptoms according to the site involved. Hydatid disease can be diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms, serological tests and imaging studies. The diagnosis of hydatid disease is however confirmed by histopathological examination. Hydatid disease is of important public health concern.

Introduction: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease which is caused by tapeworm of genus Echinococcus excreted in the faeces of infected dogs. Aims and Objectives: This study was done to describe the Public health burden of Hydatid disease in local population as this disease causes significant morbidity and mortality. Hydatid disease poses a great health challenge as the cases are usually asymptomatic but can cause life threatening complications if neglected. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study done over a period of 2.5 years in a tertiary care centre in Punjab. Data was collected from the patient requisition forms in the department of pathology and included patient profile, clinical symptoms, investigations and history of exposure to dogs or farm animals. The collected data was tabulated. Results: A total of 21 cases of hydatid cyst were diagnosed histopathologically over a period of 2.5 years. In our study, the most common site of involvement was liver (50-77%), followed by lung (18-35%), abdominal cavity and brain. There were two cases of isolated splenic Hydatid cyst in the study which is a rare site. Most common age group involved was between 20-40 years. Conclusions: The disease presents with hydatid cyst and other varied symptoms according to the site involved. Hydatid disease can be diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms, serological tests and imaging studies. The diagnosis of hydatid disease is however confirmed by histopathological examination. Hydatid disease is of important public health concern.