Echinococcus

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Echinococcus (i-ky-nŏ-kok-ŭs) n. a genus of small parasitic tapeworms. Adults are found in the intestines of dogs, wolves, or jackals. If the eggs are swallowed by humans, the resulting larvae may cause hydatid disease. Two species causing this condition are E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.