A Case of Spinal Echinococcosis in a Japanese Woman Living in Tokyo: Diagnostic Challenges in Non-endemic Areas and Public Health Implications

Takashi Katsuno; Yuriko Sugiura; Momoko Morishita; Shuhei Osaki; Manabu Suzuki; Jin Takasaki; Motoyasu Iikura; Shinyu Izumi; Masayuki Hojo; Haruhito Sugiyama

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.3713-24

This article has now been updated. Please use the final version.

A Case of Spinal Echinococcosis in a Japanese Woman Living in Tokyo: Diagnostic Challenges in Non-endemic Areas and Public Health Implications

Takashi Katsuno, Yuriko Sugiura, Momoko Morishita, Shuhei Osaki, Manabu Suzuki, Jin Takasaki, Motoyasu Iikura, Shinyu Izumi, Masayuki Hojo, Haruhito Sugiyama

Author information

Takashi Katsuno
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Yuriko Sugiura
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Momoko Morishita
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Shuhei Osaki
Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan
Manabu Suzuki
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Jin Takasaki
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Motoyasu Iikura
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Shinyu Izumi
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Masayuki Hojo
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Haruhito Sugiyama
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan

Keywords: Echinococcosis, Echinococcus, Echinococcus multilocularis, hydatid disease, spinal echinococcosis, zoonosis

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS Advance online publication

Article ID: 3713-24

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.3713-24

The final version of this article is now available: Vol. 64 (2025), No. 6 pp. 971-977

Details

Abstract

Echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus spp., often affects the lungs and liver, and spinal involvement is rare. Echinococcus multilocularis is prevalent in Japan, particularly in Hokkaido. We herein report a rare case of spinal echinococcosis in a 31-year-old woman who was diagnosed in Tokyo. Spinal echinococcosis is uncommon and often leads to misdiagnoses. The patient likely contracted the disease via contaminated fresh produce transported from an endemic region. This study emphasizes the diagnostic challenges of spinal echinococcosis in non-endemic regions and highlights the public health concerns related to the spread of infections in non-endemic areas.

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