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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Diagnostic value of late cutaneous response to Casoni test in patients operated for echinococcus cyst.

Thirty-eight patients with confirmed Echinococcus cysts were evaluated postoperatively. RAST as well as early and late skin responses to Echinococcus antigen were assessed. Early skin responses were positive in most of the patients even 10 years or more postoperation. Late skin responses were positive in 42% of the patients, and the younger the patient, the greater the likelihood of occurrence. In patients who had late skin responses, the reactions were similar at 4 to 8 and 24 hours following the antigen. These results suggest that late skin responses seen at 24 hours are part of the immediate hypersensitivity reaction to the antigen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Synthesis of epoxypropyloxy chromones and allyl hydroxy chromones and in vitro-in vivo activity on protoscoleces of Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda).

Derivatives with epoxypropyloxy, allyloxy and allyl hydroxychromone structures were synthesized and tested against protoscoleces of Echinococcus multilocularis. Compounds IV-IX were tested in vitro and compound VII proved the most active of them with, at 0.1 mmol.L-1, 98% dead protoscoleces in open vesicles after 24 hours and 80% in closed vesicles within 96 hours. Compound VII was tested in vivo on Meriones unguiculatus infested by Echinococcus multilocularis, but was found to be rather inactive.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Echinococcus.

Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) is a zoonotic infection of human beings caused by the postlarval metacestode stage of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus. Hydatid disease is more frequently the result of infection by Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis species, which are more widely prevalent geographically than E. vogeli and E. oligarthus. The epidemiology, biology, and host-parasite relationships of echinococcal infection are discussed, and the clinical consequences of human infection are reviewed with particular emphasis on the pulmonary manifestations of the disease. The utility of serological and radiological techniques in diagnosis and management are reviewed. The efficacy of medical therapy and its relationship to the role of surgical intervention in the management of unilocular (cystic) and multilocular (alveolar) hydatid disease is discussed. Finally, the successes and failures of public health programs to control this zoonosis are noted.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Diagnosis and treatment of unilocular hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus infection)].

Unilocular hydatid disease occurs in humans after oral intake of eggs of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. Cysts develop mostly in the liver, but sometimes also in the lung. The diagnosis of Echinococcus infection is based on history-taking, physical examination, ultrasound and CT examination and serological testing; the diagnosis is confirmed by parasitological examination of cystic fluid. Treatment until some 15 years ago consisted in operation. Subsequently, treatment with initially mebendazole, later with albendazole or with percutaneous drainage (puncture, aspiration, injection of a scolicidal, respiration (PAIR)), or with combinations of the same, became accepted forms of management. The PAIR method is reported to give high proportions of success, low proportions of recurrence and few complications. However, adequate evaluation is not yet possible because of the short follow-up period. For the prevention of leakage it is recommended to perform the PAIR method with a transhepatic puncture under continuous ultrasonographic or CT guidance; for avoidance of recurrences, one week's pretreatment and 1-4 weeks' after-treatment with albendazole are recommended. The results of albendazole monotherapy are hard to predict and highly variable: success: 30-88% (median: 71%); failure: 22-32% (median: 25%); recurrences: 9.5-31% (median: 16%). Both albendazole therapy and the PAIR management should be followed by protracted follow-up to check regression of cysts and detect recurrences. It is not clear which treatment is the best one.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1993

Infected hepatic Echinococcus cyst presenting as recurrent Escherichia coli empyema.

An 81-year-old man, previously a shepherd in Italy, presented with recurrent Escherichia coli empyema over an 8-month period. His empyema was caused by an infected, nonviable hepatic Echinococcus cyst that eroded the diaphragm and led to intermittent spillage and pleural seeding. This case demonstrates that when dealing with Escherichia coli empyema, a subdiaphragmatic source ought to be suspected, and among immigrants from areas with prevalent hydatid disease, infected hepatic Echinococcus cyst might rarely be the cause.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Australasian contributions to an understanding of the epidemiology and control of hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus--past, present and future.

For several years after Echinococcus granulosus was introduced into Australasia from Europe, its life cycle was unknown. Before the end of the 19th century, however, Cystic Hydatid Disease (CHD) was recognized in humans as an important cause of death, although its magnitude was not quantified. During the first 50 years of the 20th century, the urban component declined, but CHD remained a serious source of ill-health. During the second half of the 20th century major research contributions have included: (i) differentiation of pastoral from wildlife Echinococcus and (ii) breaking the 'epidemiological code' of the family Taeniidae, thereby defining the conditions under which transmission occurs. Based on this research and concurrent surveys, it is concluded that the present geographical distribution of E. granulosus in domestic animals and CHD in the rural population is determined by climate; being uncommon where hot dry seasons continue beyond a few months. The parasite's range may be extended in its wildlife cycle through a highly susceptible definitive host--the dingo. The ease with which blowflies transfer taeniid eggs from dog faeces to animal and human foodstuffs implies that in Australasia, CHD can sometimes be regarded as foodborne. A perceived decline in autochthonus cases in the rural community during the second half of the 20th century may be accounted for by increased standards of living generated by economic advancement. Where a decline has not occurred or incidence is unusually high, CHD may be acting as an indicator of social disadvantage. Field trials and control programmes demonstrated that pastoral echinococcosis readily responded to intervention. Indeed, in both New Zealand and Tasmania, using different administrative structures and methods of funding, E. granulosus was driven from endemic towards extinction status. The really convincing result was the rapid decline in CHD in all age groups. The problem still to be solved is to identify methods for eliminating foci where high levels of CHD still exist but, continent- or even state-wide intervention may not be considered to be cost-effective using current tools. Here, mathematical modelling and cost-benefit analysis can be regarded as powerful methods to assist the decision-making process.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

The use of a cathodic antigen in the immunoelectrophoretic serodiagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep.

An antigen was prepared from purified sheep hydatid-cyst fluid by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-200 followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. In each case the first-peak material was used. This antigen, which migrated cathodically, was concentrated and used in immunoelectrophoretic analyses of 4X concentrated sera from sheep experimentally and naturally infected with Echinococcus granulosus and from uninfected sheep. Of 34 sheep with E. granulosus infection 31 were positive with the cathodic antigen while of 85 sheep with E. granulosus 8 were (falsely) positive. Many false positives appeared to be associated with heavy infections of Taenia ovis or T. hydatigena larvae. The "arc 5' immunoelectrophoresis test, which is the most specific immuno-diagnostic test for echinococcus infection in humans, was not able to specifically identify E. granulosus infections in sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Polycystic echinococcosis in tropical America: Echinococcus vogeli and E. oligarthrus.

The paper reports available data on 72 known human cases of polycystic echinococcosis (PE) caused by Echinococcus vogeli (Ev) or E. oligarthrus (Eo). The patients' ages ranged from 6 to 78 years (median 44); one third were younger than 22 years and had severe lesions, demonstrating the aggressiveness of PE. There were no differences in occurrence between sexes. In 80% of the cases the lesions were in the liver alone or in combination with other organs; the rest were located in the lung or other single sites. The diagnosis of PE was based on the demonstration of polycystic larval cestode lesions by radiological imaging (X-ray, US, CT scan) in patients born in tropical sylvatic areas of America where wild carnivores (canids, felids) and rodents (pacas and other species) were present. Serologic tests often, but not always, supported the diagnosis. Species identification of Ev or Eo were based on morphological characteristics of rostellar hooks from protoscoleces. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal; hard, round masses in or connected with the liver, hepatomegaly, increased abdominal size, pain, marked weight-loss and fever. Signs of portal hypertension were also present in 25% of cases, all of whom died of the disease or surgical complications following biliary drainage or partial hepatectomy. Ten percent were in asymptomatic persons. Albendazole treatment resulted in clinical improvement and disappearance or reduction of the size of lesions in some patients observed up to 24 months. The author believes that albendazole treatment should be tried before any other treatment is implemented. Human PE was reported from 11 countries, from Nicaragua to Argentina, 31 case were due to E. vogeli, three to E. oligarthrus (two orbital from Venezuela and Surinam and one cardiac from Brazil) and 38 were due to Echinococcus sp. (no rostellar hooks were available). PE reported from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, countries outside the geographical range of the bush dog (only natural host of Ev) may have been due to Eo rather than to Ev. Several felids are known to serve as final host of Eo, and they are present in those areas. Epidemiological field studies of autochthonous human populations in tropical areas may contribute to early detection and make possible greater success in treatment of polycystic echinococcosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Ultrasonographic appearance of an echinococcus ovarian cyst.

BACKGROUND: We describe the ultrasonographic pattern of a pelvic echinococcus cyst, visualized using a vaginal probe and color Doppler. CASE: A 27-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic right adnexal mass. Vaginal ultrasonography revealed a cyst in the posterior cul-de-sac, adjacent to the right ovary, with internal septae resembling a maze or an onion slice structure. Color Doppler revealed peripheral vascularization with a low resistance pattern (resistance index 0.6; pulsatility index 0.93). Benign cysts usually have a simple echogenic pattern. In contrast, ovarian carcinomas have a complex internal structure. CONCLUSION: Ovarian echinococcus cysts may have a peculiar ultrasonographic pattern at high-frequency (7.5-MHz) vaginal ultrasonography. Such high-frequency ultrasonography can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Acute abdominal aorta embolism caused by primary cardiac echinococcus cyst.

Embolism of the abdominal aorta by an echinococcus cyst is extremely rare and is due to rupture of an intracardiac hydatid cyst. We report a case of abdominal aortic embolism by a primary intracardiac echinococcus cyst which was treated successfully with bilateral femoral embolectomy followed by direct aortotomy. We found only 16 previous cases reported and only one caused by a primary cyst.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

[Serial observations of a pulmonary echinococcus, with rupture into the bronchial system (author's transl)].

The radiological course of an echinococcus cyst of the lung before and after rupture is described, together with the cytological and histological findings. The resultant tissue changes and appropriate treatment (lobectomy) are discussed. In the presence of the appropriate radiological changes, eosinophil granulocytes in the sputum suggest cyst rupture, even in the absence of echinococcus tissue. However, bronchial asthma or Löffler's infiltrates should be excluded clinically. They delayed appearance of peripheral blood eosinophilia after cyst rupture and the development of an eosinophilic broncho-pneumonia is noteworthy.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Computer tomographic and sonographic diagnosis of echinococcus (author's transl)].

In 33 patients (18 cystic echinococci, 15 alveolar) both methods produced the following findings which could be correlated with the pathological results: single or multi-centric lesions, sharp or indefinite demarkation and abnormalities in the shape and size of the liver. The sonographic findings were analysed with respect to the echo characteristics, whereas the computer tomographically demonstrated lesions were examined densitometrically in order to show calcification. Both methods demonstrate the pathological changes satisfactorily. Computer tomography is more effective in alveolar echinococcus lesions by showing the different types of calcification, whereas sonography provides a more accurate picture of the internal structure of the cysts in cystic echinococcus. Comparison of the methods in 19 patients examined by both showed a high accuracy in each method, but sonography was relatively poor in demonstrating lesions in the spleen.

Angiography↗
PubMed1978

Parasitic myositis by Echinococcus alveolaris. Report of a family with myotonia congenita.

Echinococcus alveolaris infections were found in 5 members of a family and at least 3 of them also suffered from myotonia congenita. A muslce biopsy, performed in 1 case because of a pathological EMG finding allowed a diagnosis of parastic myositis caused by E. alveolaris to be made. In a further case, X-rays demonstrated calcification of an Echinococcus cyst in the thigh. Since is it only on rare occasions that these parasites are found in muscle tissue, factors are then discussed which might in some way be responsible for this high rate of E. alveolaris lesions in the muscles of patients with myotonia congenita.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[A serological survey of the infection by Echinococcus sp. in the municipality of Sena Madureira, AC].

A serological inquiry was performed in the municipality of Sena Madureira, Acre State, Brazil, to evaluate the individual contact with Echinococcus sp. The participants were recruited from two distinct populations: residents in the urban and rural areas, the latter distributed among riverside communities of the region. A total of 1,064 individuals were evaluated: 851 from the urban zone and 213 from the rural area. The study was divided into two phases: a serological screening, in which the blood samples were collected and then sent to the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (Serology Laboratory), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, for the serological test by counterimmunoelectrophoresis technique; and secondly an epidemiological inquiry for evaluating the individuals and their dwelling conditions and customs. Comparing the results of serological tests, the prevalence in the rural area was 6% against 3.5% in the urban area. The overall prevalence was 4%. The possibility of the existence of another intermediate host in the life cycle of Echinococcus vogeli was analyzed and the findings indicated the domestic pig as being the most probable.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Pancoast's syndrome following an intrapleural rupture of a hepatic echinococcus cyst.

A case of Pancoast's syndrome due to a hydatid cyst is described. The cyst developed secondarily, after intrapleural rupture of an echinococcus cyst situated in the liver. The patient was operated and the cyst excised. After the operation the pain in the shoulder and the arm disappeared immediately. The Horner's syndrome needed longer to subside. Three years after the operation there is still some constriction of the pupil of the right eye. The development of Pancoast's syndrome due to hydatid disease is very rare and this case--caused by a secondary cyst after intrapleural rupture of a similar hepatic echinococcus cyst--is the first described in the literature.

Echinococcosis↗
PubMed1981

Echinococcus infections in Colombian animals.

The results of a survey involving more than 4,000 Colombian mammals, carried out to detect Echinococcus infections, are presented. Adult worms were found in 5 of 121 carnivores: E. oligarthrus in 1 of 11 ocelots, 2 of 9 jaguarundi cats and single puma; and E. vogeli in 1 of 15 domestic dogs. Although bush dogs were present, none could be examined. Polycystic larvae were found in 96 of 325 pacas (29.5%) and in 6 of 1,168 (0.5%) spiny rats, Proechimys spp. None of the 118 agouti showed hydatids but an infected heart was provided by hunters. The paca's infection rate increased with age but was not related to sex or geographic region. In 73 of 96 pacas the infection was due to E. vogeli, and the cysts were located in the liver. In 3 it was due to E. oligarthrus and the hydatids were extrahepatic, mainly attached to muscles. In the remaining 20, the species involved could not be determined. The parasites in two of the spiny rats, and in the agouti heart were E. oligarthrus. Although most of the infected animals were collected in the eastern plains, other records and verbal information indicate that, at least in Colombia where man has not exterminated pacas, agoutis, wild canids and felids, one still can find enzootic neotropical Echinococcus infection. The cycle of E. vogeli involves the bush dog and paca as hosts, and that of E. oligarthrus, the paca, agouti, spiny rat, and several species of wild felids.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1999

Differential serodiagnosis for cystic and alveolar echinococcosis using fractions of Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid (antigen B) and E. multilocularis protoscolex (EM18).

Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid and E. multilocularis protoscolex extract were fractionated by a single step of preparative isoelectric focusing, resulting in an antigen B-rich fraction (8-kD) and an Em18-rich fraction, respectively. The usefulness of both fractions for differential serodiagnosis of cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis was evaluated by a large-scale immunoblot analysis on a battery of 354 serum samples. These included 66 from AE patients originating from four different endemic areas, 173 from CE patients originating from seven different endemic areas, 71 from patients with other parasitic diseases, 15 from patients with hepatomas, and 29 from healthy individuals. In an immunoblot with the antigen B-rich fraction, 92% (158 of 173) of the CE sera as well as 79% (52 of 66) of the AE sera reacted with the 8-kD subunit. No cross-reactivity occurred with any sera from patients with cysticercosis, other parasitic diseases, or with hepatomas, or from healthy controls. In an immunoblot with the Em18-rich fraction, all but two sera from AE patients (64 of 66, 97%) recognized Em18, and only nine of 34 CE sera from China reacted with it. All other (139) CE sera from six other countries were negative as were all (115) other non-echinococcosis sera. These findings indicate that antigen B (8-kD) is not species-specific for E. granulosus but is genus-specific for Echinococcus, and that the Em18 antigen is a reliable serologic marker for species-specific differentiation of AE from CE.

Animals↗