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Echinococcosis or Hydatid disease has been “described” thousands of years ago
[1]. The first implication of Echinococcosis dated back to Hippocrates (460–377 BC).
He mentioned hydatids (clear fluid full of metacestods of Echinococcus granulosus) as
“In those whose water stuffed liver opens into omentum, the belly is filled with water,
and they die” [2]. Hydatid disease has been also mentioned by Galen (129–200 BC).
Interestingly, Aretaeus (80–138 AD), ancient physician from Cappadocia, has stated
his observation as “many small fluid-filled blisters may be present in some patients
with ascites” (Neisser A. DieEchinococcen-Krankenheit. Verlag August Hirschwald
Berlin 1877.) Thereafter, many observations have been reported, however, the animal
nature of metacestodes and their parasitic character was first reported by Francesco
Redi (1626–1697). Since then, there have been many observations and investigations
that lead to our wide knowledge in 21st century [3].