Human hydatid cyst or cystic echinococcosis is a life-threatening zoonotic disease that occurs in most countries worldwide and is recognized as a major public health problem. Following, ingestion of Echinococcus granulosus eggs, hydatid cysts which is the larval stage of the worm are formed mostly in liver and lungs, and occasionally in other organs of human. The usual treatment for hydatid cyst is open surgery. One of the problems, following surgery is the recurrence. In the last decades albendazole has been used for the treatment of hydatid cyst. This drug may be used alone or jointly with surgical procedures. However, its efficacy has not been well documented. Thus, in this work, the treatment of hydatid cyst with albendazole in different investigations including case studies, clinical trials in human and experimental works in animals has been reviewed. According to findings of this review, it can be concluded that treatment of hydatid cyst with albendazole may be associated with prevention from recurrence and reduction of the size and death of the hydatid cysts.

Background: Hydatid cyst (HC) is the larval stage of the canine intestinal tapeworm (cestode), Echinococcus granulosus. In addition to the high global economic cost to livestock farming, the infection can lead to dangerous problems for human health. Therefore, research into new diagnosis and treatment approaches is valuable. This study is set out to explore aptamers that bind to HC antigens. Methods: The similarity between HC genotype in sheep and humans, sheep HCs were collected and were used as a biological membrane for aptamer selection. Four Bio-Membrane SELEX rounds were conducted and ssDNA aptamers were selected. Selected aptamers' affinity and specificity to the laminated layer antigens were evaluated using membrane staining by fluorescein primer as a probe. Biotinylated primer was used as a probe for aptahistochemistry and dot blot techniques. Subsequently, cloning and plasmid extraction was conducted. The affinity and specificity of sequenced aptamers were examined with the dot blot method. Results: Selected aptamers reacted with HC wall in aptahistochemistry, aptahistofluorescent, and dot blot experiments. Following cloning and sequencing, 20 sequences were achieved. A strong reaction between HC total antigens and sequenced aptamers has emerged in the dot blot method. Conclusion: In this investigation, we propose a novel method to determine specific aptamers. Bio-Membrane SELEX, could be assumed as a practical and sensitive method for aptamer selection. Selected aptamers in this study possibly may be used for specific HC antigens detection.

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