Humans, and occasionally dogs, may acquire infection with
the metacestode stage of E. multilocularis via ingestion of infective
eggs. Thereafter, alveolar hydatid cysts typically develop
within the liver. Both humans and dogs are considered aberrant
hosts as they play no role in parasite transmission (3). However,
hepatic alveolar echinococcosis behaves like a malignant tumor
and can have a prolonged incubation period prior to onset of
clinical symptoms; in humans this is typically 5 to 15 y (3).