Immunological aspects of cystic echinococcosis in Erbil

Abstract

Background and objectives: Echinococcus granulosus exists as a complex of different strains that differ in a wide variety of criteria that impact on the epidemiology, immunology, pathology and control of hydatid disease. This study was undertaken to investigate both humoral and cellular immune responses that are developed against hydatid cysts in Erbil. Methods: Thirty patients (9 males and 21 female) with surgically confirmed cystic echinococcosis and 10 apparently healthy individuals were included in this study. IgG ELISA was performed to asses humoral immune responses. CD4/ CD8 ratio, eosinophil count and lymphocyte transformation response were done to asses the cellular immune responses. The level of IFN-γ and TNF-α was also assayed. Results: The sensitivity of ELISA to detect anti-hydatid antibodies was shown to be 83.33%. CD4 / CD8 ratio was significantly (P< 0.001) decreased in patients with cystic echinococcosis as compared to normal control group, while eosinophil count (P< 0.001), lymphocyte transformation response (P< 0.001) and IFN-γ level (P< 0.01) were significantly increased. In contrast the level of TNFα was non- significantly changed in echinococcosis patients. Conclusion: The current study showed that the local strain of Echinococcus granulosus induces both cellular and humoral immune responses, and the number of peripheral blood CD8 T cells was significantly increased in cystic echinococcosis patients. However, hyporesponsivness to hydatid specific antigens has not been induced.

Diagnostic Efficiency of Heat Shocked Protoscoleces Extract Antigens for Human Cystic Echinococcosis by ELISA

“…Hydatid antigens enriched with antigen B by ELISA showed controversial results with variable sensitivity and specificity observed [13]. In the present study the sensitivity of ELISA was also affected by the localization of the cysts which was in consistent with the results previously obtained [8] [31]. The sensitivity of ELISA to detect liver cysts ranged from 72% to 100% while the sensitivity of this test is around 50%-60% for lung cysts.…”

“…Definitive diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis is complex and has to be confirmed by the combination of immunological investigations and imaging techniques (X-ray, ultrasonography, computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging) in the clinically suspected cases [6][7] [8]. For immunological investigations, most studies have depended upon hydatid cyst fluid as a wealthy source of hydatid antigens [9]10][11] [12].…”