| Hydatid disease, caused by the parasite Echinococcus
granulosus , mostly affects the liver and the lungs with
hydatid cysts which consist of three layers: (1) the outer
pericyst; (2) the middle laminated membrane; and
(3) the inner germinal layer. Pericyst, as the outermost
layer of the hydatid cyst, is made by host cells encasing
the hydatid cyst. An extremely close interaction exists
between this host tissue and the parasite, and any
degenerative changes of the pericyst would result in
hydatid cyst degeneration or rupture.The pericyst plays
an undeniably important role in the development and
survival of the hydatid cyst. |