Humans, unlike animals, often show signs of infection with Echinococcus , and the signs vary depending on the organs infected. Parasitic tumors may develop in the brain, heart, lungs and liver. If these cystic tumors in a human would rupture, anaphylactic shock may occur. Surgery is often the treatment of choice in humans infected with Echinococcus . Newer drug therapies such as albendazole and albendazole with praziquantel are often used in conjunction with surgery, or alone if surgery is not an option.
Serologic tests are also available.
As with other tapeworms, D. latum lives in the small intestines of its definitive hosts which include dogs, cats, fox, bear, other fish-eating mammals, and man. It is found in the Great Lakes area, in some southern Gulf areas and in the Arctic. Unlike other tapeworms already discussed, it has two intermediate hosts. The adult worms, which can reach the length of ten meters, are found in the small intestine of the definitive host. Segments which have released all their eggs are often shed in chains instead of individually.