An Unusual Case Presentation of a Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst in a Young Child at a Tertiary Care Chest Hospital, Hyderabad, India.

Introduction: Hydatid cysts highest incidence is reported mainly from the sheep-rearing countries. Though India is not primarily a sheep-rearing country, a large number of cases have been reported from Andhra Pradesh and other states of India. Man is an accidental host and does not play a role in the biological cycle of the worm. The mode of infection is by the ingestion of food contaminated with dog feces and also by direct contact with dogs. In the present case a 15-year-old boy, presented with 1 month history of gradual and prog Case: ressive dyspnea, cough that was dry initially but had started to produce blood-stained sputum since 2 days, per nasal bleeding 2 episodes in 2 days. With the above history and examination patient was admitted with a clinical diagnosis of left lung lover lobe space occupying lesion under evaluation with differential diagnosis as lung abscess with history of empirical ATT started. Sputum was sent for culture which w Findings: as reported as no pathogenic organisms and CBNAAT/ GeneXpert which was reported as MTB not detected. A computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a large, well-defined, oval, cystic lesion in left posterior basal segment with peripherally enhancing smooth walls. It showed fluid attenuation with multiple air filled cavities within the lesion. Atelectatic bands in the lower lobe along with minimal pleural thickening in posterior basal segment. This fluid was sent to histopathology, gram stain, ZN stain and culture. For the same sample fluorescent stain was done, which showed apple green hooklet. Serum sample was sent for Echinococcus serology. IgG antibody ELISA was done which was reported as positive. Hydatid disease is an Conclusion: important health problem in India. It is prevalent in communities from low socio economic status and in rural areas, who are unaware of this parasite. Thus improvement in personal hygiene and awareness regarding disease in the community will result in control and even eradication of this morbid condition.