Long-Term Seropositivity against Echinococcus multilocularis in an Epidemiological Follow-up Study in Southwestern Germany (Römerstein)

Abstract

Persistent seropositivity without detectable hepatic lesions could be interpreted as an early sign of sonographically not yet detectable AE, immunity to E. multilocularis or unspecific serological reactivity. For seropositive and clinically inconspicuous inhabitants of areas endemic for AE follow-up examinations at intervals of 2-3 years seem to be adequate.

Echinococcosis: Serological Detection of Patients and Molecular Identification of Parasites

“…However, the application of crude antigens is often associated with some rates of false negatives in Japan [26,27]. Furthermore, in studies in Japan [23][24][25] and Europe [28,29], a high percentage of seropositive patients was observed who did not have any signs of actively growing parasites or even died-out lesions. It is not yet clear whether this is associated with a limitation in the test: that it leads to high rates of false positives or whether these patients had had contact with parasite's oncospheres once in their life but did not develop the disease (due to inherent resistance [30] or a too low infection dosis).…”

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Value of the ELISA Tests Developed by Using EgHF, Em2 and EmII/3-10 Antigens in the Serological Diagnosis of Alveolar Echinococcosis

“…Almanya'da yapılan çalış-malarda, 2560 kişinin taranması sonunda bir aktif AE olgusu ile serolojik olarak pozitif 47 olgu tanımlanmış; 30 ay boyunca serolojik ve ultrasonografik olarak takip edilen 36 seropozitif olguda, serolojik sonuçlarda minör değişiklikler dışında başka bir değişiklik gözlenmemiştir 19,20 . Araştırıcılar, aktif AE lezyonu olmamasına rağmen seropozitifliğin devam etmesinin; ultrasonografik olarak henüz saptanmayan AE'nin erken belirtisi, E.multilocularis'e karşı immünite veya özgül olmayan serolojik reaksiyonla ilişkilendirile-bileceğini ve seropozitif olan veya endemik bölgelerde yaşayan kişilerin 2-3 yıllık aralarla takip edilmesinin yeterli olacağını ifade etmişlerdir 20 .…”

Emerging infections in animals—potential new zoonoses?

“…In some areas, seroprevalence among the human population is increasing, although a specific rise in clinical cases has not yet been seen. It is unknown whether this seroprevalence is due to immunity or to an early stage of infection, before cyst development [13,14]. More extensive epidemiologic investigations are warranted.…”