Echinococci Definition

A genus of parasitic cestodes (tapeworms) that causes echinococcosis, a zoonotic disease affecting humans and domestic animals. The disease is caused by the larval stage of echinococci, which can form cysts in the tissues of the host. The most common species is Echinococcus granulosus, which causes alveolar hydatid disease or cystic echinococcosis.