A relatively rare tapeworm has popped up in several patients in Alberta, Canada in the past few years, which may not sound like much; however, the only other human case in Canada was in 1928 in Manitoba.
The parasite is called Echinococcus multilocularis and it appearance in Alberta has caught the attention of some infectious disease specialists.
Professor of Medicine and infectious disease expert with the University of Alberta, Stan Houston, MD joined me to discuss this serious parasitic disease and the situation in Alberta.
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Intro music: “Rapture” by Ross Bugden
There is a case in northern Wisconsin, USA. My husband. He was a taxidermist and avid trapper of coyotes, fox and beaver. He had his left lobe of liver removed June 2016. It took 5-6 weeks for pathology at Mayo Clinic to diagnose. He also has Mantle Cell Lymphoma as well as stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease. The CDC here in the US is well aware of his case. Blood samples have also been sent to Bern, Switzerland. We were told he has echinococcus multilocularis cysts in his liver and lungs also. June 22 of this year he developed cysts in his brain. He had horrible headaches, dizziness and his balance was off. We are still waiting to hear exactly what that is.
He takes 400mg of Albendazole twice a day. This medication with insurance in the US would cost us at least $1,100 a month. Without insurance, $20,100! We order the medicine via Canada. Thank you Canada.
Thank you for opening up this discussion and educating people about it. We are open to sharing his case with anyone interested if it should help others. His case is quite complicated and being watched carefully.
Hi Sarah & Mark
any updates ?? thnx
Hi my name is Clare I would like to ask you some questions about this disease also may we chat on my email if you don’t mind Thank you.
Please may we chat more about this disease.thank you
I hope your husbands doing well. I’m hoping I can ask you or your husband some question’s about this disease my name is Clare. Please email me. [email protected]. Again I hope you and husband are doing well.
My name is Clare please if your willing to talk to me please call me at(708) 733-9236 anytime I am 100% I have this disease they can’t seem to find it in Illinois I tried everything. I tried CDC I haven’t heard once from them I don’t know what to do anymore.
Hi my name is Kara I have this same thing and the doctor here in the US will not take me seriously please and advise would help my text or call
Three-six-zero
Three-o-three
Three-seven-eight-six
Thanks