Comparison of serological and clinical findings in Turkish patients with cystic echinococcosis

Abstract

220 SummaryCystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is potentially dangerous for humans. The aim of this study was to examine serological and clinical findings regarding cysts localisation and individual responses in 54 patients with CE. The majority of patients in this study were females (63 %) and the average age was 46.3 years. Most of the patients lived in rural areas or kept a dog (46 %) for a long time. The most frequent symptoms were hypochondrial pain (48.9 %), epigastrial discomfort (27.7 %), vomiting (21.3 %), minor cough (12.8 %), urticaria (6.3 %), weakness (4.3 %), fever (2.1 %), side-or backache (4.3 %). However, 17 % of the patients showed no symptoms. In every case, the ultrasound (USG) and/or computer tomography (CT) investigations were positive. In most cases (53.2 % of the patients) a single cyst was found but 46.8 % of the patients had multiple cyst formations (from 2 to 9 cysts) located in the liver. Sporadic lung, splenetic, mesenterial, tibial and cerebral localisations were also found. The patients were individually treated with albendazol (10 -15 mg/kg) five days prior and six months after the surgical treatment. Serum samples were investigated by the serological techniques: IHAT, ELISA and Western blot using hydatid fluid antigen. In the patient sera, the specific antibody levels were mostly increased after surgery. Different results were obtained only in two patients. In the first case, seroconversion was delayed. In the other case all ELISA results were negative, however, the Western blot analysis and surgery proved the presence of CE. The results suggest that the different antibody response of patients depends on the individual immune response. Multiple localization and various stages of CE cysts demonstrate the necessity of a complex approach for the confirmation of a correct diagnosis.

Cystic echinococcosis in Turkey: genetic variability and first record of the pig strain (G7) in the country

“…According to Ministry of Health records, 52,124 patients had operations to treat or confirm CE in the period 1990-2005 which corresponds to 3,257 patients per year. The estimated incidence rate of CE in Turkey is 0.8-2.0/100.000 over the last years (Yolasigmaz et al 2006;Altintas 2008b).…”

Importance of complex diagnostic approach in differential diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis

“…The symptoms of AE predominantly include abdominal pain, jaundice, fatigue, hepatomegaly and weight loss. In patients with cystic echinococcosis, upper abdominal pain, hypochondriac or epigastric discomfort, symptoms deriving from biliary tract, nausea and vomiting and weakness dominate (Yolasigmaz et al, 2006;Schneider et al, 2010). The diagnosis of echinococcosis is based on the patient´s anamnesis, clinical symptoms, morphological features identifi ed by imaging techniques, serology and histology or examination of cyst punctate.…”

“…Imaging methods provide useful information on the character of the cysts and together with serological results are very important in relation to diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Moreover, serology plays a key role in long-term monitoring of the patient during the treatment or after surgical intervention (Yolasigmaz et al, 2006;Reiterová et al, 2014). Despite undoubtedly positive impact of serological methods on confi rmation of diagnosis there are some negatives.…”

Evaluation of Usefulness of Three Serological Tests Using Native Crude Antigen in Diagnosis of Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis Patients

“…Humans are infected by the larval stage of tapeworm and hydatid cysts exist mostly in the liver (65% -70%) and lungs (20% -25%) but also other organs (kidney 2%, spleen 2% and brain less than 2%, etc.) [2] [3]. Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases and it is common almost all over the world.…”