Epidemiological survey of cystic echinococcosis in southwest China:From the Qinghai-Tibet plateau to the area of Yunnan

BACKGROUND Echinococcosis is prevalent in 9 provinces in Western and Northern China.An epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in 2012 and 2016 showed cases of echinococcosis in Yunnan Province.AIM To understand the spatial distribution and epidemiological characteristics of echinococcosis in Yunnan for the prevention and control of echinococcosis and to reduce the risk of infection in Yunnan Province.METHODS Based on the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention(CISDCP),echinococcosis cases reported from 36 hospitals and 34 Centers for Disease Control were investigated and epidemiologically analyzed from 2021 to 2022.The exclusion criteria included suspected cases,same case only counted once and cases not from Yunnan.A total of 705 cases were investigated,of which 397 cases were suitable for statistical analysis.In these 397 cases,epidemiological investigation was tracked in 187 cases.All data were inputted using double entry in the Excel database,with error correction by double-entry comparison.The data on echinococcosis cases in Yunnan Province were analyzed by ArcGIS 10.1 software to generate a density map of echinococcosis distribution.All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 17.0,including the chi-square test,linear regression test and logistic univariate and multivariate regression analyses.RESULTS A total of 397 cases were found in 89 counties in Yunnan Province.The number of cases in the top three prefectures were Dali(38.1%),Diqing(10.1%),and Kunming(8.3%),and the top five counties were Jianchuan(9.1%),Shangri La(8.3%),Eryuan(7.6%),Heqing(6.9%),and Dali Districts(5.0%).There were significant differences between the different areas.The case reporting rate by CISDCP(33.8%)was low;the first case was reported by CISDCP in 2002,and the highest number of cases was 50(2017).Confirmed and clinical cases accounted for 62.5%and 37.5%,respectively.However,90.9%of the cases of hydatid disease were reported by the hospital system,and only 9.1%of the cases of hydatid disease were found in the community through active screening.The difference between the two methods of case detection was statistically significant.Most of the cases of echinococcosis were found in farmers/herdsmen(75.1%)and students(9.1%).In addition,Han(43.6%)and Bai(26.2%)had a higher incidence of infection than other nationalities,and the liver(87.7%)and lung(6.8%)were the most common sites of cyst formation.Among the analyzed cases,187 were epidemiologically analyzed and the clinical symptoms were not obvious in the early stage in 47.1%of cases.The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the age group,education level,presence of dogs in the family(either previously or currently),and handwashing(occasionally or not)were factors related to echinococcosis infection.55.6%of cases were in endemic areas,and 44.4%of cases were in non-endemic areas.Among 83 cases in non-endemic areas,only 4 cases had been to endemic areas and had a history of living,working,travelling,or hunting in echinococcosis epidemic areas.CONCLUSION Cases of echinococcosis were reported throughout the entire Yunnan province,with the majority distributed in Western Yunnan,suggesting that echinococcosis control should be strengthened in this area.We suggest that an epidemiological investigation should be carried out in the future,based on the clues from newly discovered cases in hospitals or from the CISDCP.The newly discovered cases in the hospital provided clues to comprehensively determine the location of cases and where epidemic spot investigation should be conducted.

Diagnosis and treatment experience of atypical hepatic cystic echinococcosis type 1 at a tertiary center in China

BACKGROUND Some hydatid cysts of cystic echinococcosis type 1(CE1)lack well-defined cyst walls or distinctive endocysts,making them difficult to differentiate from simple hepatic cysts.AIM To investigate the diagnostic methods for atypical hepatic CE1 and the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic surgeries.METHODS The clinical data of 93 patients who had a history of visiting endemic areas of CE and were diagnosed with cystic liver lesions for the first time at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(China)from January 2018 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical diagnoses were made based on findings from serum immunoglobulin tests for echinococcosis,routine abdominal ultrasound,high-frequency ultrasound,abdominal computed tomography(CT)scan,and laparoscopy.Subsequent to the treatments,these patients underwent reexaminations at the outpatient clinic until October 2023.The evaluations included the diagnostic precision of diverse examinations,the efficacy of surgical approaches,and the incidence of CE recurrence.RESULTS All 93 patients were diagnosed with simple hepatic cysts by conventional abdominal ultrasound and abdominal CT scan.Among them,16 patients were preoperatively diagnosed with atypical CE1,and 77 were diagnosed with simple hepatic cysts by high-frequency ultrasound.All the 16 patients preoperatively diagnosed with atypical CE1 underwent laparoscopy,of whom 14 patients were intraoperatively confirmed to have CE1,which was consistent with the postoperative pathological diagnosis,one patient was diagnosed with a mesothelial cyst of the liver,and the other was diagnosed with a hepatic cyst combined with local infection.Among the 77 patients who were preoperatively diagnosed with simple hepatic cysts,4 received aspiration sclerotherapy of hepatic cysts,and 19 received laparoscopic fenestration.These patients were intraoperatively diagnosed with simple hepatic cysts.During the followup period,none of the 14 patients with CE1 experienced recurrence or implantation of hydatid scolices.One of the 77 patients was finally confirmed to have CE complicated with implantation to the right intercostal space.CONCLUSION Abdominal high-frequency ultrasound can detect CE1 hydatid cysts.The laparoscopic technique serves as a more effective diagnostic and therapeutic tool for CE.

Fifty-five cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis combined with lymph node metastasis:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis is a specific type of metastasis in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(AE).Currently,there is a scarcity of describing the clinical characteristics and lymph node metastasis rules of patients with hepatic AE combined with lymph node metastasis and its mechanism and management are still controversial.Radical hepatectomy combined with regional lymph node dissection is a better treatment.AIM To analyse the clinical features of hepatic AE combined with lymph node metastasis to explore its treatment and efficacy.METHODS A total of 623 patients with hepatic AE admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 1 January 2012 to 1 January 2022 were retrospectively analysed.Fifty-five patients with combined lymph node metastasis were analysed for their clinical data,diagnosis and treatment methods,follow-up efficacy,and characteristics of lymph node metastasis.Finally,we comparatively analysed the lymph node metastasis rates at different sites.Categorical variables are expressed as frequencies and percentages,and the analysis of difference was performed using theχ2 test.The Bonferroni method was used for pairwise comparisons when statistical differences existed between multiple categorical variables.RESULTS A lymph node metastasis rate of 8.8%(55/623)was reported in patients with hepatic AE,with a female predilection(69.1%)and a statistically significant sex difference(χ2=8.018,P=0.005).Of the 55 patients with lymph node metastasis,72.7%had a parasite lesion,neighbouring organ invasion,and metastasis stage of P3N1M0 and above,of which 67.3%,78.2%,and 34.5%of hepatic AE lesions invaded the bile ducts,blood vessels,and distant metastases,respectively.Detection rates of lymph node metastasis of 16.4%,21.7%,and 34.2%were reported for a preoperative abdominal ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging,and computed tomography examinations.All patients were intraoperatively suspected with enlarged lymph nodes and underwent radical hepatectomy combined with regional lymph node dissection.After surgery,a routine pathological examination was conducted on the resected lymph nodes.A total of 106 positive lymph nodes were detected in six groups at various sites,including 51 single-group metastasis cases and four multi-group metastasis cases.When the metastasis rates at different sites were statistically analysed,we observed that the metastasis rate in the para-hepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes was significantly higher than that of the other sites(χ^(2)=128.089,P=0.000<0.05).No statistical difference was observed in the metastasis rate between the five other groups.Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa complication occurred in 14 cases,which improved after administering symptomatic treatment.Additionally,lymph node dissection-related complications were not observed.Recurrence after 2 years was observed in one patient.CONCLUSION Lymph node metastasis is a rare form of metastasis in hepatic AE,which is more frequent in women.Parahepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes are commonly observed.Radical hepatectomy combined with regional lymph node dissection is a safe,effective,and feasible treatment for liver AE combined with lymph node metastasis.

Portal vein embolization combined with ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation: A novel treatment strategy for end-stage and metastatic hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Alveolar echinococcosis(AE)is a lethal parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis larvae,and more than 90%of pri-mary AE lesions occur in the liver.Most of the affected individ-uals remain asymptomatic and the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.The infection may spread to organs adjacent to the liver or distant locations,eventually causing end-stage multi-ple organ AE.Brain metastasis of AE is the most fatal with an inci-dence rate of 0.2%[1].

Pictorial review of hepatic echinococcosis:Ultrasound imaging and differential diagnosis

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus Echinococcus that primarily affect the liver.The western plateau and pastoral areas of China are high-risk regions for hepatic cystic echinococcosis and hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE).The high late mortality rate associated with HAE underscores the critical need for early diagnosis to improve cure rates and mitigate the disease burden in endemic areas.Currently,the World Health Orga-nization recommends ultrasonography as the preferred initial screening method for hepatic echinococcosis.However,distinguishing between specific types of lesions,such as those of hepatic cystic echinococcosis and HAE,and other focal liver lesions is challenging.To address this issue,contrast-enhanced ultrasound is recommended as a tool to differentiate solid and cysto-solid hepatic echino-coccosis from other focal liver lesions,significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy.In this comprehensive review,we discuss the progression of hepatic echinococcosis and detail the imaging features of various types of echinococcosis using conventional,contrast-enhanced,and intraoperative ultrasound techniques.Our objective is to provide robust imaging evidence and guidance for early diagnosis,clinical decision making,and postoperative follow-up in regions with high disease prevalence.

Coinfection with hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis with abdominal wall abscess and sinus tract formation:A case report

BACKGROUND Hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis coinfections,particularly with concurrent abscesses and sinus tract formation,are extremely rare.This article presents a case of a patient diagnosed with this unique presentation,discussing the typical imaging manifestations of both echinococcosis types and detailing the diagnosis and surgical treatment experience thereof.CASE SUMMARY A 39-year-old Tibetan woman presented with concurrent hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis,accompanied by abdominal wall abscesses and sinus tract formation.Initial conventional imaging examinations suggested only hepatic cystic echinococcosis,but intraoperative and postoperative pathological examination revealed the coinfection.Following radical resection of the lesions,the patient’s condition improved,and she was discharged soon thereafter.Subsequent outpatient follow-ups confirmed no recurrence of the hydatid lesion and normal surgical wound healing.Though mixed hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis with abdominal wall abscesses and sinus tract formations are rare,the general treatment approach remains consistent with that of simpler infections of alveolar echinococcosis.CONCLUSION Lesions involving the abdominal wall and sinus tract formation,may require radical resection.Long-term prognosis includes albendazole and follow-up examinations.

Coexistence of liver abscess, hepatic cystic echinococcosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Human cystic echinococcosis(CE)is a life-threatening zoonosis caused by the Echinococcus granulosus(sensu lato).Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world.The coexistence of CE and HCC is exceedingly rare,and only several well-documented cases have been reported.In addition to this coexistence,there is no report of the coexistence of CE,HCC,and liver abscess to date.Herein,we aimed to report a case of coexistence of liver abscess,hepatic CE,and HCC.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old herdsman presented to the department of interventional therapy with jaundice,right upper abdominal distension and pain for 10 d.Laboratory test showed that he had positive results for HBsAg,HBeAb,HBcAb,and echino-coccosis IgG antibody.The test also showed an increased level of alpha fetopro-tein of 3400 ng/mL.An abdominal computed tomography(CT)scan revealed an uneven enhanced lesion of the liver at the arterial phase with enhancement and was located S4/8 segment of the liver.In addition,CT scan also revealed a mass in the S6 segment of the liver with a thick calcified wall and according to current guideline and medical images,the diagnoses of hepatic CE(CE4 subtype)and HCC were established.Initially,transarterial chemoembolization was performed for HCC.In the follow-up,liver abscess occurred in addition to CE and HCC;thus,percutaneous liver puncture drainage was performed.In the next follow-up,CE and HCC were stable.The liver abscess was completely resolved,and the patient was discharged with no evidence of recurrence.CONCLUSION This is the first reported case on the coexistence of liver abscess,hepatic CE,and HCC.Individualized treatment and multidisciplinary discussions should be performed in this setting.Therefore,treatment and diagnosis should be based on the characteristics of liver abscess,hepatic CE,and HCC,and in future clinical work,it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of this complex composition of liver diseases.

Current status of drug therapy for alveolar echinococcosis

Alveolar echinococcosis(AE)is a chronic zoonotic parasitic disease caused by infection with Echinococcus multilocularis.AE is associated with a high mortality rate and poses a significant threat to human health.The primary treatment for AE is surgical resection of the lesions;however,owing to its long incubation period and insidious disease progression,many patients are diagnosed only after the onset of complications such as liver cirrhosis,jaundice,and portal hypertension,which preclude curative surgical intervention.For patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery,lifelong administration of anti-AE medications is necessary.Benzimidazole compounds,such as albendazole and mebendazole,are the current mainstays of treatment,offering good efficacy.Nevertheless,these medications primarily inhibit parasite proliferation rather than eradicate the infection,and their long-term use can lead to significant drug-related toxic effects.Consequently,there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies that convey better efficacy and reduce the adverse effects associated with current treatments.Recent advancements in AE therapy include novel synthetic compounds such as antiviral agents,antibiotics,antineoplastic agents,immunosuppressants,and antiangiogenic agents,as well as natural compounds derived from traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine.These new drugs show promising clinical potential because they interfere with parasitic metabolic pathways and cellular structures.This review aims to discuss recent research on AE drug therapy,including mechanisms of action,dosing regimens,signalling pathways,and therapeutic outcomes,with a goal of providing new insights and directions for the development of anti-AE drugs and summarizing current advancements in AE pharmacotherapy.

Characteristics of the imaging diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis

Alveolar echinococcosis(AE)primarily manifests in the liver and exhibits charac-teristics resembling those of slow-growing malignant tumours.Untreated Echino-coccus multilocularis infection can be lethal.By infiltrating the vascular systems,biliary tracts,and the hilum of the liver,it might lead to various problems.Due to its ability to infiltrate neighbouring tissues or metastasize to distant organs,AE can often be mistaken for malignancies.We present a concise overview of the epi-demiological and pathophysiological characteristics of AE,as well as the clinical manifestations of the disease.This article primarily examines the imaging charac-teristics of AE using various imaging techniques such as ultrasonography,com-puted tomography(CT),magnetic resonance imaging,diffusion-weighted ima-ging,and virtual non-enhanced dual-energy CT.We additionally examined the contribution of radiography in the diagnosis,treatment,and monitoring of the condition.

Clinical Analysis of 128 Children and Adolescents with Echinococcosis

Objective:To comprehend the clinical characteristics and treatment approaches for children and adolescents in Qinghai Province with two types of echinococcosis,cystic echinococcosis(CE)and alveolar echinococcosis(AE).Methods:A total of 128 pediatric inpatients with echinococcosis at the People’s Hospital of Qinghai Province and the Clinical Research Institute of Echinococcosis of Qinghai Province between January 2016 and December 2021 were chosen as subjects.Demographic and clinical data were collected,and double data entry was executed using EpiData 3.02.Factors influencing the cure of echinococcosis were analyzed with echinococcosis cure as the dependent variable,employing statistical analysis via SPSS 19.0.Results:Of the cases,35.9%had CE,and 64.1%had AE.Both types were observed in patients of all ages,with the majority aged 13-18.The number of cysts and their sizes varied between CE and AE.Complications were prevalent,including liver,gallbladder,lung,and nutritional complications.Univariate analyses revealed significant differences in outcomes based on factors such as cyst size(for CE),liver function grade(for AE),hydatid hypersensitivity test,operation,and length of hospital stay(P<0.05).Conclusion:This comprehensive analysis of hospitalized cases sheds light on the clinical data of echinococcosis in children and adolescents in Qinghai Province.The findings contribute to a scientific foundation for formulating effective prevention and control measures tailored to this demographic,facilitating an improved understanding of echinococcosis in Qinghai province.

Percutaneous management in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis:A sum of single center experiences and a brief overview of the literature

BACKGROUND Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE)is a serious zoonotic infection that affects humans.It may have a tumor-like appearance at times.Percutaneous treatment of HAE patients is extremely relaxing for them.HAE is a significant human zoonotic infection caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus Multilocularis larvae.It possesses the characteristics of an invasive tumor-like lesion due to its infiltrative growth pattern and protracted incubation period.The disease is endemic over central Europe,Asia,and North America.AIM To characterize HAE patients who were treated percutaneously,their outcomes,and the major technical features of percutaneous treatment in HAE.METHODS Patients who were treated with percutaneous cyst drainage and/or percutaneous biliary drainage were included in the study.Uncorrected abnormal coagulation values and solid or non-infected HAE with minor necrotic change were excluded.RESULTS Thirty-two patients underwent percutaneous cyst drainage,two patients underwent percutaneous biliary drainage,and four patients underwent percutaneous biliary drainage alone.Interventional radiology is utilized to drain echinococcal necrosis and abscesses within/without the liver,as well as diseased and clogged bile ducts.CONCLUSION Percutaneous drainage of cyst contents and/or biliary channels using a minimally invasive technique is a very beneficial.Percutaneous cyst drainage with albendazole therapy improves quality of life in patients who are unable to undergo surgery,even when the mass resolves with long-term treatment.

Historical changes in surgical strategy and complication management for hepatic cystic echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Escherichia larvae.It frequently involves the liver(70%-75%),followed by the lungs(15%-20%),and occasionally the brain,heart,spleen,bone,and other organs.The main pathogenic forms of human echinococcosis currently include cystic echinococcosis(CE)and alveolar echinococcosis(AE).CE is globally distributed,while the distribution of AE is generally restricted to the northern hemisphere.In China,CE accounts for 75%of all echinococcosis cases.With rapid advances in surgical techniques in recent decades,the surgical strategy for CE has changed,especially with the continuous improvement of surgical methods and the expansion of surgical contraindications.To further understand the changes in surgical treatment strategies for hepatic CE,we interpreted and analyzed the existing literature addressing the surgical treatment of hepatic CE both domestically and abroad and briefly summarized them in chronological order.This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of the progress in the surgical treatment of hepatic CE to provide clearer avenues for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Effect and mechanism of reactive oxygen species-mediated NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome activation in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

BACKGROUND The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3(NLRP3)inflammasome is a significant component of the innate immune system that plays a vital role in the development of various parasitic diseases.However,its role in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE)remains unclear.AIM To investigate the NLRP3 inflammasome and its mechanism of activation in HAE.METHODS We assessed the expression of NLRP3,caspase-1,interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-18 in the marginal zone and corresponding normal liver of 60 patients with HAE.A rat model of HAE was employed to investigate the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the marginal zone of HAE.Transwell experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of Echinococcus multilocularis(E.multilocularis)in stimulating Kupffer cells and hepatocytes.Furthermore,immunohistochemistry,Western blotting,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to evaluate NLRP3,caspase-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 expression;flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and reactive oxygen species(ROS).RESULTS NLRP3 inflammasome activation was significantly associated with ROS.Inhibition of ROS production decreased NLRP3-caspase-1-IL-1βpathway activation and mitigated hepatocyte damage and inflammation.CONCLUSION E.multilocularis induces hepatocyte damage and inflammation by activating the ROS-mediated NLRP3-caspase-1-IL-1βpathway in Kupffer cells,indicating that ROS may serve as a potential target for the treatment of HAE.

A DNA tetrahedron-based nanosuit for efficient delivery of amifostine and multi-organ radioprotection

Unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation(IR)often causes acute and chronic oxidative damages to normal cells and organs,leading to serious physiological and even life-threatening consequences.Amifostine(AMF)is a validated radioprotectant extensively applied in radiation and chemotherapy medicine,but the short half-life limits its bioavailability and clinical applications,remaining as a great challenge to be addressed.DNAassembled nanostructures especially the tetrahedral framework nucleic acids(tFNAs)are promising nanocarriers with preeminent biosafety,low biotoxicity,and high transport efficiency.The tFNAs also have a relative long-term maintenance for structural stability and excellent endocytosis capacity.We therefore synthesized a tFNA-based delivery system of AMF for multi-organ radioprotection(tFNAs@AMF,also termed nanosuit).By establishing the mice models of accidental total body irradiation(TBI)and radiotherapy model of Lewis lung cancer,we demonstrated that the nanosuit could shield normal cells from IR-induced DNA damage by regulating the molecular biomarkers of anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress.In the accidental total body irradiation(TBI)mice model,the nanosuit pretreated mice exhibited satisfactory alteration of superoxide dismutase(SOD)activities and malondialdehyde(MDA)contents,and functional recovery of hematopoietic system,reducing IRinduced pathological damages of multi-organ and safeguarding mice from lethal radiation.More importantly,the nanosuit showed a selective radioprotection of the normal organs without interferences of tumor control in the radiotherapy model of Lewis lung cancer.Based on a conveniently available DNA tetrahedron-based nanocarrier,this work presents a high-efficiency delivery system of AMF with the prolonged half-life and enhanced radioprotection for multi-organs.Such nanosuit pioneers a promising strategy with great clinical translation potential for radioactivity protection.

Application of 3D reconstruction for surgical treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

AIM: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of threedimensional(3D) reconstruction for liver resection in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE).METHODS: One-hundred and six consecutive patients with HAE underwent hepatectomy at our hospital between May 2011 and January 2015. Fifty-nine patients underwent preoperative 3D reconstruction and "virtual" 3D liver resection before surgery(Group A). Another 47 patients used conventional imaging methods for preoperative assessment(Group B). Outcomes of hepatectomy were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative data between the two groups. Compared with patients in Group B, those in Group A had a significantly shorter operation time(227.1 ± 51.4 vs 304.6 ± 88.1 min; P < 0.05), less intraoperative blood loss(308.1 ± 135.4 vs 458.1 ± 175.4 m L; P < 0.05), and lower requirement for intraoperative blood transfusion(186.4 ± 169.6 vs 289.4 ± 199.2 m L; P < 0.05). Estimated resection liver volumes in bothgroups had good correlation with actual graft weight(Group A: r = 0.978; Group B: r = 0.960). There was a significant higher serum level of albumin in Group A(26.3 ± 5.9 vs 22.6 ± 4.3 g/L, P < 0.05). Other postoperative laboratory parameters(serum levels of aminotransferase and bilirubin; prothrombin time) and duration of postoperative hospital stay were similar. Sixteen complications occurred in Group A and 19 in Group B. All patients were followed for 3-46(mean, 17.3) mo. There was no recurrence of lesions in Group A, but two recurrences in Group B. There were three deaths: two from cerebrovascular accident, and one from car accident.CONCLUSION: 3D reconstruction provides comprehensive and precise anatomical information for the liver. It also improves the chance of success and reduces the risk of hepatectomy in HAE.

Proposal of an ultrasonographic classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: Echinococcosis multilocularis Ulm classification-ultrasound

AIM: To establish an ultrasonographic classification based on a large sample of patients with confirmed hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(AE).METHODS: Clinical data and ultrasonography(US) findings of 185 patients(100 males; 85 females; mean age at diagnosis: 51.4 ± 17.6 years; mean age at time of US examination: 58.7 ± 18.2 years) were retrospectively reviewed with respect to the US morphology of hepatic AE lesions. The sonomorphological findings were grouped according to a five-part classification scheme.RESULTS: Application of the new classification resulted in the following distribution of sonomorphological patterns among the patients examined: hailstorm(54.1%); pseudocystic(13.5%); ossification(13.0%); hemangioma-like(8.1%); and metastasis-like(6.5%). Only 4.9% of lesions could not be assigned to a sonomorphological pattern.CONCLUSION: The sonomorphological classification proposed in the present study facilitates the diagnosis,interpretation and comparison of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in routine practice and in the context of scientific studies.

Human cystic echinococcosis:epidemiologic,zoonotic,clinical,diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

This review represents an updated scenario on the transmission cycle,epidemiology,clinical features and pathogenicity,diagnosis and treatment,and prevention and control measures of a cestode parasite Echincoccus granulosus(E.granulosus) infection causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans.Human CE is a serious life-threatening neglected zoonotic disease that occurs in both developing and developed countries,and is recognized as a major public health problem. The life cycle of E.granulosus involves a definitive host(dogs and other canids) for the adult E.granulosus that resides in the intestine,and an intermediate host(sheep and other herbivores) for the tissue-invading metacestode(larval) stage.Humans are only incidentally infected;since the completion of the life cycle of E.granulosus depends on carnivores feeding on herbivores bearing hydatid cysts with viable protoscoleces,humans represent usually the dead end for the parasite.On ingestion of E.granulosus eggs,hydatid cysts are formed mostly in liver and lungs, and occasionally in other organs of human body,which are considered as uncommon sites of localization of hydatid cysts.The diagnosis of extrahepatic echinococcal disease is more accurate today because of the availability of new imaging techniques,and the current treatments include surgery and percutaneous drainage,and chemotherapy(albendazole and mebendazole).But.the wild animals that involve in sylvatic cycle may overlap and interact with the domestic sheepdog cycle,and thus complicating the control efforts.The updated facts and phenomena regarding human and animal CE presented herein are due to the web search of SCI and non-SCI journals.

Proposal of a computed tomography classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

AIM: To establish a computed tomography (CT)-morphological classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis was the aim of the study.METHODS: The CT morphology of hepatic lesions in 228 patients with confirmed alveolar echinococcosis (AE) drawn from the Echinococcus Databank of the University Hospital of Ulm was reviewed retrospectively. For this reason, CT datasets of combined positron emission tomography (PET)-CT examinations were evaluated. The diagnosis of AE was made in patients with unequivocal seropositivity; positive histological findings following diagnostic puncture or partial resection of the liver; and/or findings typical for AE at either ultrasonography, CT, magnetic resonance imaging or PET-CT. The CT-morphological findings were grouped into the new classification scheme.RESULTS: Within the classification a lesion was dedicated to one out of five &#x0201c;primary morphologies&#x0201d; as well as to one out of six &#x0201c;patterns of calcification&#x0201d;. &#x0201c;primary morphology&#x0201d; and &#x0201c;pattern of calcification&#x0201d; are primarily focussed on separately from each other and combined, whereas the &#x0201c;primary morphology&#x0201d; V is not further characterized by a &#x0201c;pattern of calcification&#x0201d;. Based on the five primary morphologies, further descriptive sub-criteria were appended to types&#x02005;I-III. An analysis of the calcification pattern in relation to the primary morphology revealed the exclusive association of the central calcification with type IV primary morphology. Similarly, certain calcification patterns exhibited a clear predominance for other primary morphologies, which underscores the delimitation of the individual primary morphological types from each other. These relationships in terms of calcification patterns extend into the primary morphological sub-criteria, demonstrating the clear subordination of those criteria.CONCLUSION: The proposed CT-morphological classification (EMUC-CT) is intended to facilitate the recognition and interpretation of lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. This could help to interpret different clinical courses better and shall assist in the context of scientific studies to improve the comparability of CT findings.

Alveolar echinococcosis-spreading disease challenging clinicians: A case report and literature review

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a potentially deadly disease; recent studies have shown that the endemic area of Echinococcus multilocularis , its causative agent, is larger than previously known. This disease has low prevalence and remains underreported in Europe. Emerging clinical data show that diagnostic difficulties are still common. We report on a 76-year old patient suffering from AE lesions restricted to the left lobe of the liver who underwent a curative extended left hemihepatectomy. Prior to the resection a liver biopsy under the suspicion of an atypical malignancy was performed. After the intervention he developed a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery that was successfully coiled. Surprisingly, during surgery, the macroscopic appearance of the tumour revealed a growth pattern that was rather typical for cystic echinococcosis (CE), i.e. , a gross tumour composed of multiple large vesicles with several centimeters in diameter. In addition, there were neither extensive adhesions nor infiltrations of the neighboring pancreas and diaphragm as was expected from previous imaging results. The unexpected diagnosis of AE was confirmed by definite histopathology, specific polymerase chain reaction and serology results. This is a rare case of unusual macroscopic presentation of AE that posed immense diagnostic challenges and had an eventful course. To our knowledge this is the first case of an autochthonous infection in this particular geographic area of Germany, the federal state of Saxony. This report may provide new hints for an expanding area of risk for AE and emphasizes the risk of complications in the scope of diagnostic procedures and the limitations of modern radiological imaging.

Compared efficacy of University of Wisconsin and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solutions in ex-situ liver resection and autotransplantation for end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients

Background: The University of Wisconsin (UW) and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions are the two most frequently used liver graft preservation fluids. The present study aimed to compare their efficacy in end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients who underwent ex-situ liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA). Methods: A total of 81 patients received ELRA from August 2010 to March 2018. They were allocated into UW ( n = 48) and HTK groups ( n = 33) based on the type of solutions used. Demographic and operational data were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes included 90-day mortality, incidence of early graft loss, primary dysfunction, and postoperative complications. Results: Demographic and operational characteristics were similarly distributed in the two groups. No statistically significant differences were observed with regard to 90-day mortality (12.77% vs. 12.12%) and early graft loss rate (8.51% vs. 9.09%) between the two groups. Patients in the UW and HTK groups showed a primary dysfunction rate of 27.66% and 27.27%, respectively. The UW group exhibited a higher incidence tendency of biliary complications, albeit with no statistical significance. Conclusions: This is the largest cohort study comparing the efficacy of the UW and HTK organ-preserving solutions in end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients in ELRA settings. UW and HTK solutions presented similar efficacy and safety. A randomized clinical trial with larger scale is needed for further investigation in future clinical applications.