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PubMed2001

[Frequency of antibodies against Trichinella spiralis and Echinococcus ssp. appearance in children with atopic diseases].

Parasitic infestation and atopic diseases have common features. The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of Trichinella and Echinococcus seropositivity in children with atopic diseases. The study group involved 72 children aged from 2,5 to 18 years with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The control group comprised 30 children without allergic diseases. In 12 children with atopic diseases the serological tests were positive for Trichinella spiralis, in II for Echinococcus spp. and in 5 both for Trichinella and Echinococcus. In control group the serological tests were positive in 3, 6 and 3 children respectively. There were no differences in occurrence of positive results of serological tests in children with atopy and children without allergic diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Prevalence and public health implications of Echinococcus granulosus in rural dogs in Eastern Nigeria.

Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in rural dogs in Eastern Nigeria was determined. Of the 182 dogs examined, 8 (4.4%) had Echinococcus granulosus infection. The number of Echinococcus granulosus recovered was 80, of which 16 (20%) were from faeces and 64 (80%) were derived from intestinal mucosa. Of the localities surveyed, Eke-Uke had the highest number of infected dogs, 13 out of 38 (34.3%). The females accounted for 94 out of 182 dogs (51.6%) examined, while 98 (53.8%) were males. E. granulosus was present in 7 out of 94 (7.4%) females and in 10 out of 98 (10.2%) males. Parts of the body of thd dogs (anal region, outside of the mouth and coat) examined were positive for taeniid ova. Other cestodes recovered were Taenia hydategina, Taenia ovis, and Taenia pisiformis.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Increased risk of infection by Echinococcus multilocularis for people in the endemic "Schwaebische Alb" region?].

The infestation by the larva of Echinococcus multilocularis, also known as alveolar echinococcosis, is the most dangerous parasitic disease of man in Middle Europe. This is due to the location in the liver but still more so because of the proliferative and infiltrating growth of the larval tissue. The basic infective cycle of the parasite is a zoonosis between foxes as final hosts and small rodents such as common voles as intermediate hosts. Man can be a false intermediate host and thus a carrier of the larval stage. The infection arises from oral ingestion of the tapeworm eggs either on wild berries or in dust. Dogs and cats are a further important source of infection. They can be facultative carriers of adult E. multilocularis and are thus able to excrete eggs or proglottids of the tapeworm. In west Germany, in particular the "Schwäbische Alb" must be regarded as an endemic region for E. multilocularis. According to the examinations of Zeyhle, the infection rate of foxes here is more than 15% on an average, in some local areas as for example in the district of Reutlingen it is over 25%. In order to estimate the danger of infection for man in hyperendemic areas the population of two villages of this district and also specially endangered occupational groups (hunters, foresters) of the whole "Schwäbische Alb" have been examined for echinococcosis by serological means. A stepless ELISA was used as screening test. Thus circa 2200 persons liable to E. multilocularis could be examined. Among the population of the district of Reutlingen nine highly suspective sera could be detected. Computer tomography of these nine persons showed only one case of Echinococcus which could be identified as E. multilocularis after operation. Presumably serological positive cases come up as a consequence of a real contact with E. multilocularis. But in most cases the larval cestode tissue might soon degenerate because man is a relatively poor intermediate host. It cannot be excluded, however, that the Echinococcus-larva could not yet be identified clinically because of its early stage. According to most cautious estimation the prevalence of E. multilocularis in this endemic area might be one per thousand, the contact frequency, however, up to one per cent.

Animals↗
PubMed1968

Echinococcus antigens.

Much of the work on immunology of hydatidosis has so far been devoted to the development of suitable methods for serological diagnosis. The precise nature of hydatid antigens and their chemical characterization has still not been worked out, largely because of the complex life-history of the parasite and the difficulties of in vitro cultivation. The most widely used antigen for routine serological testing in hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus is fluid taken from the cyst. This fluid is, however, a complex mixture of substances and contains several protein and carbohydrate fractions as well as end-products of carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The cyst fluid from different sources is variable in its antigenic properties, and the fluid from sterile cysts is especially lacking in antigenic activity. Antigens from tissue extracts of hydatid cysts appear to have greater specificity. Cyst extracts of E. multilocularis, the cysts of which contain relatively little fluid, have also been used but are poor antigens, and contain measurable amounts of host protein. Antigens prepared from other cestodes and metabolic antigens are also reviewed.Biochemical analysis of Echinococcus antigens covering polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and blood-group substances is considered, together with the characterization of antigens by electrophoresis, column chromatography and gel-diffusion methods. The problems associated with the standardization of antigens are discussed. Recent data on the character and reactivity of antigens employed in Echinococcus studies are summarized.

Antigens↗
PubMed1968

In vitro studies and host-specificity in Echinococcus.

Anatomical, biochemical and physical factors may play a part in determining the host-specificity of Echinococcus species. The author discusses the morphological differences between the duodenums of common potential carnivore hosts such as cat, fox and dog, and the biochemical differences in intestinal physiology-particularly the composition of the bile, which is important in the initial establishment of the parasite. After a consideration of the histochemistry, cytology and ultrastructure of adult and larval Echinococcus, he reviews the advances made in in vitro techniques in recent years. These are of particular importance to research in hydatid disease in view of the dangers associated with maintaining the highly infectious adult stage of Echinococcus in dogs and of the difficulty of obtaining a sufficiency of animals infected with the larval stage. The culture of cystic E. multi-locularis from protoscolices has now been achieved, and sexually mature adults of E. granulosus with 3 proglottids have been grown in vitro from protoscolices; with the latter, the major factor inducing growth in a strobilar direction is the continuous contact of the rostellum with a protein substrate.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The taxonomic status of Echinococcus cruzi Brumpt and Joyeux, 1924 (Cestoda: Taeniidae) from an agouti (Rodentia: Dasyproctidae) in Brazil.

Paratype material of Echinococcus cruzi Brumpt and Joyeux, 1924, described from an agouti, Dasyprocta leporina (L.), in Brazil, was compared with Echinococcus oligarthrus (Diesing, 1863), of which the larval stage occurs also in agoutis and other rodents in South America and Central America. Comparisons of the larval cestodes (metacestodes) showed that the rostellar hooks from protoscolices of the two taxa corresponded in form, and their slightly greater lengths in E. cruzi were considered to be of no taxonomic significance. They agreed as well in other morphological characteristics. Echinococcus cruzi was compared also with the other neotropical species, E. vogeli Rausch and Bernstein, 1972, Based on these comparisons and in agreement with the earlier conclusion of Cameron (1926), E. cruzi Brumpt and Joyeux, 1924 is placed in synonymy with E. oligarthrus (Diesing, 1863).

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Limited range of genetic variation in Echinococcus multilocularis.

DNA sequencing of 1.3 kb of rDNA containing both internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, ITS2) and adjoining rRNA coding regions in each of 11 Echinococcus multilocularis isolates from Germany, Japan, and Alaska resulted in identical nucleotide sequences except for a single polymorphic locus 54 bp upstream of the 3' end of the 18S coding region, separating Eurasian isolates from an Alaskan isolate. The same base substitution was found in each of 2 additional isolates from Alaska. The distribution of the resulting genotypes with regard to their origin is highly significant (>99.9%) and corresponds to the traditional subspecies Echinococcus multilocularis multilocularis and Echinococcus multilocularis sibiricensis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Molecular genetic variation in Echinococcus and Taenia: an update.

An update on our understanding of molecular variation in Echinococcus and Taenia is provided. Genetic variation within certain species of Echinococcus is now a well accepted phenomenon and a number of intraspecific variants or strains of E. granulosus, in particular, have been characterized hitherto using a range of procedures. Newly acquired molecular information has now been used in epidemiological studies with E. granulosus and in phylogenetic analysis of the genus Echinococcus. Similarly, DNA approaches have been applied for taxonomic characterization of the recently recognized Asian Taenia, a third form of human Taenia, which occurs in Southeast Asia, and which is distinguishable from, but closely related to, Taenia saginata.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiology of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus in central Europe.

Two species of Echinococcus are known to occur in central Europe, namely E. multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus, causing the alveolar and the cystic form of echinococcosis in humans, respectively. Recent studies have shown that in central Europe E. multilocularis occurs further north, south and east than previously anticipated. This parasite is endemic in Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The prevalence rates of E. multilocularis in foxes are alarmingly high in some areas with average rates > 40%. Infection rates in dogs and cats are much lower. In recent years accidental infections with the metacestode stage of E. multilocularis have been observed in various animal species (dog, domestic pig, wild boar, nutria and monkeys) and in humans. The mean annual incidence rates of alveolar echinococcosis in humans are low varying between 0.02 and 1.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in several European countries and regions. For monitoring of the infection in final host populations new techniques are now available, notably the coproantigen ELISA and for selected cases also egg detection by the Polymerase Chain Reaction. E. granulosus has an uneven geographical distribution in Europe with very low prevalence rates in some of the northern and central European countries, with medium endemicity in others and high endemicity in areas of southern and eastern Europe. Cystic echinococcosis in humans is still a significant public health problem, predominantly in the Mediterranean area. Up to now five strains of E. granulosus have been identified in central Europe which differ in their life cycles as well as in morphological, biochemical, genetic and some other features. Several molecular techniques are now available which allow the identification of Echinococcus species and certain strains using genetic markers. Epidemiological evidence and molecular studies indicate that the so-called sheep, cattle, and cervid strains of E. granulosus are infective to humans whereas the horse strain may have no or low infectivity. Polish patients were found to be infected with E. granulosus similar to a pig strain.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Echinococcus multilocularis in a European beaver from Switzerland.

Infection with the larval stage of the cestode parasite Echinococcus multilocularis was diagnosed in a European beaver (Castor fiber) in central Switzerland. The animal was hit, run over by a car, and died of trauma. It was in normal body condition and no signs of disease were seen. At necropsy, multiple cystic structures up to 1 cm in diameter were found in the liver adjacent to the hilus. Within the parasite vesicles, multiple protoscolices were visible. The species was determined to be Echinococcus multilocularis by upon polymerase chain reaction and direct immunofluorescence with MAbG11-FITC. This is the first report of Echinococcus multilocularis in European beaver.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1987

[Pulmonary echinococcosis--primary site of Echinococcus cysticus].

The liver is the preferred organ of echinococcus cysticus, however in 20% of the cases cysts are found in the lung. Case report on a 54-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with an echinococcus cysticus in the left upper lobe. Differential-diagnostic problems, therapeutic possibility and prognostic aspects of echinococcus of lung are discussed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1979

[Cryosurgery in the treatment of Echinococcus alveolaris. Animal experiments].

The influence of cryosurgery on echinococcus alveolaris is studied in 100 mice. In a second series cryosurgical effects on structures of the hepatic portal (hepatic artery, portal vein, hepatic duct) were examined. The experiments showed that echinococcus alveolaris can be devitalized by cryosurgical measures at temperatures between -100 degrees C and -190 degrees C. No damage of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic duct occurred. Clinical application of cryosurgery for the treatment of inoperable echinococcus alveolaris of the hepatic portal appears to be justified.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

The incidence of Echinococcus infection in dogs, sheep and goats slaughtered in Ibadan, Nigeria.

An investigation was conducted to determine the incidence of Echinococcus infection among dogs and slaughtered sheep and goats in Ibadan Municipality. Of 102 dogs examined, forty-nine (48%) had Echinococcus-like ova. Parasite eggs from four (3.9%) of these animals produced Echinococcus larvae when cultured while twenty (19.6%) of the faecal samples had proglottides. Two hundred and fifteen sheep and goats were examined at four different abattoirs. Only 28% had hydatid cysts.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1994

[Ultrasound image of an echinococcus daughter cyst in the gallbladder].

By the case presented, which is a clear example of a daughter cyst of an echinococcus in the gall bladder lumen, we have extended our knowledge of the possibility of ultrasound for demonstration of abdominal pathology. Besides the well-known sonographic picture of the liver echinococcus, we now know that we are in certain cases in a position to represent also the echinococcus daughter cyst in the biliary tree. Characteristic is its annular pattern. In cases like this one, we give ultrasound preference over the ERCP and CT.

Cholangitis↗
PubMed2006

EmsB, a tandem repeated multi-loci microsatellite, new tool to investigate the genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis.

In order to explore the genetic diversity within Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis), the cestode responsible for the alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans, a microsatellite, composed of (CA) and (GA) repeats and designated EmsB, was isolated and characterized in view of its nature and potential field application. PCR-amplification with specific primers exhibited a high degree of size polymorphism between E. multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus sheep (G1) and camel (G6) strains. Fluorescent-PCR was subsequently performed on a panel of E. multilocularis isolates to assess intra-species polymorphism level. EmsB provided a multi-peak profile, characterized by tandemly repeated microsatellite sequences in the E. multilocularis genome. This "repetition of repeats" feature provided to EmsB a high discriminatory power in that eight clusters, supported by bootstrap p-values larger than 95%, could be defined among the tested E. multilocularis samples. We were able to differentiate not only the Alaskan from the European samples, but also to detect different European isolate clusters. In total, 25 genotypes were defined within 37 E. multilocularis samples. Despite its complexity, this tandem repeated multi-loci microsatellite possesses the three important features for a molecular marker, i.e. sensitivity, repetitiveness and discriminatory power. It will permit assessing the genetic polymorphism of E. multilocularis and to investigate its spatial distribution in detail.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Recent advances in characterization of Echinococcus antigen B.

Antigen B (AgB) in hydatid cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus is a polymeric lipoprotein of 160 kDa and a highly immunogenic major antigen in echinococcal infection. The antigen is comprised of a group of subunit monomers of approximately 8 kDa in molecular size. Recent studies have revealed that the E. granulosus AgB (EgAgB) shows a high degree of genetic variability and the genes encoding the EgAgB 8-kDa subunit monomers that have been identified to date could be grouped into four clades, corresponding to the genes EgAgB8/1, EgAgB8/2, EgAgB8/3 and EgAgB8/4. It has been suggested that the recombinant EgAgB8/2 (rEgAgB8/2) provides better performance in serodiagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) than does the recombinant EgAgB8/1 (rEgAgB8/1). The EgAgB has been identified as a protease inhibitor with an ability to inhibit recruitment of neutrophils and exploit activation of T helper cells by eliciting a non-protective Th2 cell response, predominantly in patients with progressive CE. Recently it has been revealed that AgB also exists in the cyst fluid of Echinococcus multilocularis. Five different cDNAs encoding the EgAgB homologues have been identified in vesicles, protoscoleces and/or immature adult worms of E. multilocularis and named as EmAgB8/1, EmAgB8/2, EmAgB8/3, EmAgB8/4 and EmAgB8/5. These genes appeared to be expressed in a developmentally regulated manner in the parasite life cycle. This review focuses on recent advances in molecular biological and immunological characterization of AgB from both of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Short report: Inadequacy of yaks as hosts for the sheep dog strain of Echinococcus granulosus or for E. Multilocularis.

Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) has a two-host cycle involving the domestic dog and grazing animals. Humans are also infected by the dog. Both unilocular (Echinococcus granulosus in yaks, sheep, and goats) and multilocular (alveolar) (E. multilocularis in hares and rodents) hydatids are common in western Sichuan in the People's Republic of China. Humans and dogs are equally infected with both species. Many yaks (Bos grunniens) were found with multilocular cysts that visually were deemed to be E. multilocularis. However, a histologic and molecular study showed that they were actually E. granulosus. No infective cysts were found in 125 necropsied yaks. We conclude that the yak is an inadequate and dead-end host for the sheep dog (G1) strain of Echinococcus granulosus and also for E. multilocularis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Echinococcus granulosus: cloning and characterization of a tandemly repeated DNA element.

A repetitive DNA element from the genome of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus has been cloned and sequenced. The 186-base-pair repeating units are arranged in direct tandem, probably clustered in the parasite genome. The estimated copy number of the repeat is 11,500 and represents between 2 and 3% of the parasite genome. The repetitive sequence is specific for Echinococcus since it does not cross-hybridize with either DNA of other cestode species or pig and dog DNA. The repetitive element is capable of detecting between 250 and 500 pg of E. granulosus DNA by dot blot assay.

Animals↗