Importance of complex diagnostic approach in differential diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis

Abstract

SummaryAlveolar and cystic echinococcosis, serious parasitic diseases caused by larval stages of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus has been diagnosed in Slovakia for a long time. Study presents case of 49-years old patient with accidentally diagnosed one big (60 mm) and multiple small (2 -24 mm) hypoechogenic structures localised in right liver lobe. According to positive serology to E. granulosus antigen and results of imaging examinations the patient was classifi ed as possible case of cystic echinococcosis and treated with mebendazole. Later, due to the worsening of clinical, laboratory and CT fi ndings surgical biopsy was performed and surgical biopsy and subsequent PCR examination of liver tissue confi rmed the diagnosis of alveolar echinococosis. Clinical picture of disease imitating cystic echinococcosis in presented case report, together with results of serological tests confi rmed importance of accurate differential diagnosis of echinococcosis. Each aspect of clinical and laboratory results should be considered responsibly, however, sometimes only molecular techniques can solve the problem of differential diagnosis.

Parasites with possible zoonotic potential in the small intestines of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northwest Bohemia (CzR)

“…Our study revealed a 40 % (16/40) prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis -the most dangerous zoonotic parasite for manwith a mean infection intensity of 1000 individuals (Table 1). Alveolar echinococcosis is a rare human disease that is often lethal if left untreated (Szilágyiová et al, 2015). It is caused by Echinococcus multilocularis at the larval stage.…”

Significance of the red fox as a natural reservoir of intestinal zoonoses in Vojvodina, Serbia

“…Alveolar echinococcosis is one of the most dangerous zoonoses in the world. While there are cases of human infection in some European countries (Horváth et al, 2008;Szilágyiová et al, 2015), there are no documented cases of human alveolar echinococcosis in Serbia at the moment.…”

A Community-Based Study to Estimate the Seroprevalence of Trichinellosis and Echinococcosis in the Roma and Non-Roma Population of Slovakia

“…On the other hand, only 18.4% prevalence of the tapeworm was recorded in the Košice region located in the eastern part of the country [ 29 ]. Human cystic echinococcosis occurs in Slovakia sporadically; two or three confirmed cases are reported every year [ 4 ].…”

“…Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, serious parasitic diseases caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus sensu lato (s. l), have been diagnosed in Slovakia for a long time. The infection arises after the accidental ingestion of infective eggs from the contaminated environment (soil, water, food) and causes serious health problems connected primarily with effects on the liver [ 4 , 5 ].…”