Evaluation of protective immune responses induced by DNA vaccines encoding Echinococcus granulosus EgM123 protein in Beagle dogs.

Introduction: Echinococcus granulosus, known as cystic echinococcosis, is a prominent zoonotic parasitic disease of significant global concern. The definitive hosts serves as the primary reservoir for the transmission of echinococcosis, as well as a main factor in the prevention and control of the disease. Unfortunately, there is currently no commercially available vaccine for these hosts. Nevertheless, DNA vaccines show potential as a feasible strategy for the control and management of parasitic diseases. Methods: In this study, the EgM123 antigen was selected for its well-documented immunogenic properties to develop a DNA vaccine aimed at combating E. granulosus infection in canines. Results: The results showed a marked increase in IgG levels in the group vaccinated with pVAX1-EgM123 DNA compared to the PBS group. Additionally, the cytokines IL-1, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-6 were significantly upregulated in the pVAX1-EgM123 DNA vaccine group. Furthermore, in comparison to the PBS control group, the EgM123 DNA vaccine group exhibited a notable 87.85% reduction in worm burden and a 65.00% inhibition in segment development. Discussion: These findings indicate that the pVAX1-EgM123 DNA vaccine shows promising immunogenicity, successfully eliciting a targeted immune response in canines. Moreover, it significantly diminishes the worm burden and hinders the progression of tapeworms in the pVAX1-EgM123 DNA vaccine group. These findings suggest that the pVAX1-EgM123 DNA vaccine holds promise as a potential candidate vaccine for combating E. granulosus infection in dogs.

A pilot study on the epidemiology, diagnosis and characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in sheep, goats and dogs in Siirt province of Türkiye revealed remarkable adaptation of Echinococcus canadensis (G6/G7) in goats.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), represents one of the most significant zoonotic diseases globally, affecting both humans and animals. The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of E. granulosus sensu lato in sheep and goats in a pilot region with a one-year slaughterhouse follow-up period and to determine the genetic differences and haplotypes among sheep, goat, and dog isolates. To this end, the prevalence of CE cysts was determined by monitoring the slaughter of sheep and goats at least three days a week at a slaughterhouse in the Siirt province of Türkiye during 2023. Additionally, faecal samples were collected from stray dogs and analysed using both flotation and molecular techniques. The presence of CE cysts was identified in 569 (11.12 %) of the 5119 sheep and 66 (2.31 %) of the 2860 goats after slaughtering. The highest positivity was observed in November (20.39 %), while the lowest was recorded in July (5.62 %). Of the sheep that detected positive, 25 (4.39 %) were less than one year old, while 544 (95.61 %) were older than one year. Of the infected sheep, 26 (4.57 %) were male and 543 (95.43 %) were female. 204 (35.85 %) sheep exhibited fluid-filled CE cysts, 338 (59.40 %) displayed calcification, and 27 (4.75 %) demonstrated the presence of newly developed cysts. The highest positivity was observed in December (5.83 %), while the lowest was recorded in May (0.62 %) in goats. Of the positive goats, two (3 %) were less than one year old, while the remaining 64 (97 %) were older than one year. Of the goats infected with CE cysts, 10 (15.15 %) were male and 56 (84.85 %) were female. Of the cysts, 56.1 % were fluid-filled, 42.4 % were calcified and 1.5 % were newly developed. Following DNA sequence analysis of CE cyst isolates obtained from the slaughterhouse, all 61 sheep sequences were identified as E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3). Of the 13 goat isolates, seven were identified as E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3), while the remaining six were classified as E. canadensis (G6/G7). The centrifugal flotation method was employed to detect the presence of Isospora spp. oocysts in eight dogs, Toxocara canis and hookworm eggs in three dogs each, and Dipyllidium caninum eggs in one dog. A total of 54 dog faeces were examined. No Taeniid eggs were observed in any of the dogs. Following PCR analysis of the mt-CO1 gene region in the dog faecal samples, four samples were positive for a 875 bp band. Only one of these bands was suitable for sequence analysis, which confirmed it as E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3).

Even a worm will turn: An atypical presentation of hydatid disease.

Hydatid disease (cystic echinococcosis) is a neglected zoonosis, often incidentally detected in its late stages. The clinical manifestations depend on the location and dimensions of the cysts, with the liver and lungs frequently affected. This case report describes thrombocytopenia, an unusual haematological complication of hydatid disease. We use this case to highlight the role that platelets play in various parasitic infections and to advocate for further research into the role of platelets in hydatid disease. Contribution: We draw attention to a less well-known complication of hydatid disease.

Design of a novel EmTSP-3 and EmTIP based multi-epitope vaccine against Echinococcus multilocularis infection.

Background: Current treatments and prevention strategies for echinococcosis are inadequate. Recent advancements in molecular vaccine development show promise against Echinococcus granulosus; however, Echinococcus multilocularis remains a challenge. A Multi-epitope Vaccine could potentially induce specific B and T lymphocyte responses, thereby offering protection against Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Methods: This study aimed to develop a MEV against alveolar echinococcosis. Key epitopes from the Echinococcus multilocularis proteins EmTSP3 and EmTIP were identified using immunoinformatics analyses. These analyses were conducted to assess the MEV feasibility, structural characteristics, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and immune simulations. The immunogenicity and antigenicity of the vaccine were evaluated through in vitro and in vivo experiments, employing ELISA, Western blotting, FCM, challenge infection experiments, and ELISPOT. Results: The effective antigenicity and immunogenicity of MEV were demonstrated through immunoinformatics, as well as in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro experiments revealed that MEV increased the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 in PBMC and successfully bound to specific antibodies in patient serum. Furthermore, mice immunized with MEV developed a robust immune response, characterized by elevated levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, increased secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 by specific Th1 and Th2 cells, and heightened serum antibody levels. Importantly, MEV reduced the weight of cysts by conferring resistance against echinococcosis. These findings suggest that MEV is a promising candidate for the prevention of Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Conclusion: A total of 7 CTL, 7 HTL, 5 linear B-cell, and 2 conformational B-cell epitopes were identified. The vaccine has demonstrated effective antigenicity and immunogenicity against AE through molecular docking, immune simulation, molecular dynamics studies, and both in vitro and in vivo experiments. It provides effective protection against Echinococcus multilocularis infection, thereby laying a foundation for further development.

Characteristics of the imaging diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) primarily manifests in the liver and exhibits characteristics resembling those of slow-growing malignant tumours. Untreated Echinococcus 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 epidemiological and pathophysiological characteristics of AE, as well as the clinical manifestations of the disease. This article primarily examines the imaging characteristics of AE using various imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and virtual non-enhanced dual-energy CT. We additionally examined the contribution of radiography in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of the condition.

Primary Solitary Uterine Hydatid Cyst Mimicking an Intramyometrial Cyst: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Like many agricultural countries, cystic echinococcal zoonotic disease is endemic in Nepal. Incidence of hydatid cyst in liver and lungs are common among the adult population but hydatid cyst of the uterus is an extremely rare entity. We report a case of a 76-year-old menopausal lady who presented with lower abdominal pain for 4 months and underwent laparotomy for provisional diagnosis of myometrial cyst, as shown by MRI scan, however the cyst was found to be primary hydatid cyst of uterus. Postoperatively serological test for hydatid cyst was positive for echinococcus granulosus, further confirmed by histopathological diagnosis. Hence in endemic areas like ours, there should be high index of suspicion of the possibility of hydatid cyst as a differential for cystic pelvic masses.

Genetic Characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus from Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples in Human Isolates Based on the High-Resolution Melting Point Analysis in Sabzevar, Northeast Iran.

Background: There are ten genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus with different intermediate and final hosts affecting the parasite's life cycle and its transmission to humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the genotype of isolated hydatid cysts using the simple and fast high-resolution melting point analysis (HRM) method. Methods: The paraffin tissue samples of patients who underwent surgery were obtained from the pathology sample bank of Vasei and Emdad Hospitals in Sabzevar, Iran during 2010-2020. The DNA content of the samples was extracted after collecting and determining the characteristics using the DNA extraction kit. PCR was performed on the samples and the presence of the hydatid cyst genome was confirmed using the special Master Kit. Mix PCR of Solis Biodyne Company and Real-Time device (Bio-Rad) were used, and the genetic identity of hydatid cysts were determined. Results: Out of 33 paraffin samples, 21 samples contained hydatid cyst DNA, two of which were from the brain and 19 from the liver tissues; 12 samples did not contain hydatid cyst DNAs. All liver samples were from sheep species (G1), and the brain samples were from buffalo species (G3). Therefore, 9.53% of the Echinococcus species collected were buffalo (G3), and 90.47% were sheep (G1) strain. Conclusion: Based on previous patterns, HRM methods can be used for easy and quick identification of Echinococcus strains. The G1 strain was the dominant strain causing hydatid cyst in different human organs, including the liver and brain.

Extracts and Terpenoids from Stevia Species as Potential Anthelmintics for Neglected Tropical Diseases Caused by Cestode Parasites.

Cestodes are etiological agents of neglected diseases such as echinococcosis and cysticercosis, which are major public health problems. Antiparasitic treatment relies on a small number of approved drugs, which are often only partially effective, poorly tolerated and require prolonged administration. Thus, the discovery of novel potential treatments is critical. The Stevia genus (Asteraceae) includes species that are recognized as a source of bioactive compounds, with many species associated with medicinal uses. In this study, the cestocidal activity of four South American Stevia species that previously showed antiprotozoal activity was analyzed using a motility assay on the laboratory cestode model, Mesocestoides vogae. The four Stevia extracts showed cestocidal activity, with S. alpina var. alpina as the most active. The sesquiterpene lactones estafietin and eupatoriopicrin were purified from S. alpina var. alpina and S. maimarensis, respectively, and tested on M. vogae. Estafietin showed cestocidal activity, inhibiting parasite viability in a dose-dependent manner, even from the first day of incubation. Consistent with the motility effects, the extract of S. alpina var. alpina and estafietin induced marked alterations in the morphology of the parasite. The results of this report show that Stevia species represent a source of new molecules with potential for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases caused by cestodes.

Use of the EmsB microsatellite-based next generation sequencing for genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in hydatid cyst tissue samples from animals and humans.

Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786), a cestode of the Teniidae family, causes human cystic echinococcosis (CE) also known as hydatid disease. Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato includes the G1, G3, G4, G5, G6/7 and G8/10 genotypes which are known to cause human CE. This study aimed to differentiate genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. complex by employing EmsB, a tandemly repeated multilocus microsatellite, using next-generation sequencing (MIC-NGS). Human and animal histopathology-confirmed hydatid cyst tissue samples and reference DNA samples of E. granulosus G1, G3, G4, G5, G6/7 and G10 underwent MIC-NGS assay with custom primers amplifying a 151 bp EmsB DNA fragment. NGS data were analysed using online Galaxy analysis pipeline, a phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA software, and haplotype networking was performed with PopArt 1.7. All sixty samples (49 from animals and 11 from humans) included were successfully identified and genotyped with a 100 % success rate. The study showed improved discrimination power to distinguish all study samples including closely related E. granulosus s.s. genotypes G1-G3. The maximum likelihood tree reaffirmed the monophyly of E. granulosus s.l. The median-joining haplotype networking revealed 12 distinct haplotypes. In conclusion, MIC-NGS assay was shown to be sensitive, specific and simple to apply to clinical samples offering a powerful discriminatory tool for the genotyping of E. granulosus s.l.

Macrophage-mediated mechanisms of lung injury in the sensitization reaction to Echinococcus granulosus.

Objective: In this study, the impact of inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway on lung oxidative damage induced by Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid was investigated. Methods: Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned to four groups. Three months after inoculation with hydatid cyst segments, mice in group A were treated with intraperitoneal and intratracheal saline injections; mice in group B were administered a caudal vein injection of a PI3K inhibitor, followed by cyst fluid sensitization; mice in group C received an AKT inhibitor via caudal vein, followed by cyst fluid sensitization; and mice in group D were subjected to cyst fluid sensitization without any inhibitor treatment. Cellular changes in lung tissues across all groups were evaluated, including pathological section analysis. Analysis of pulmonary tissue and serum from these mice included the assessment of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins, inflammatory factors, and related mRNA levels. Results: Mice in groups B and C exhibited a higher proportion of M2-type macrophages and significantly lower levels of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins, inflammatory factors (interleukin-6 [IL-6]/tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), and oxidative markers in lung tissues compared to mice in group D (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results in this study indicate that activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway contributed to an increase in the M1 macrophage phenotype, leading to enhanced secretion of peroxidases and inflammatory factors. This mechanism plays a crucial role in the oxidative and inflammatory lung damage associated with allergic reactions to E. granulosus cyst fluid.

A scoping review on control strategies for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (EG) with a global burden of control in the billions of dollars. E. granulosus' life cycle involves definitive, intermediate, and humans as dead-end hosts. Echinococcosis control programs use strategies that focus on any of these hosts. We aimed to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the EG control interventions worldwide. Methods: We conducted a scoping review by mapping all studies on interventions for EG control following the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. We screened identified articles, and charted and coded selected papers. We classified the data based on target host, type of study, and control mechanism. We described the efficacy or safety outcomes, and the associated barriers/facilitators for the intervention. Critical appraisal was conducted. Results: From 7,853 screened studies, we analyzed 45: seven centered on human interventions, 21 on animals, and 17 on both. Studies on humans focused on educational strategies and human CE monitoring. The studies on animals were field trials and most were based on Praziquantel (PZQ) for dogs. Studies focused on both animals and humans had, in general, more participants, lasted longer, and covered larger geographical areas. Overall, the quality of studies was moderate to low. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that long-term interventions aimed at both animals and humans can achieve significant reduction in EG transmission, particularly when PZQ treatment for dogs is included. Higher quality evidence, standardization of methodologies, and better reporting on post-intervention outcomes are necessary for drawing stronger conclusions. Further evidence is needed to assess the sustainability and scalability of control measures. Nonetheless, an integrative One Health approach is essential for overcoming the multiple challenges associated with sustaining long-term control efforts for Echinococcosis.

Chemotherapy for the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis: Where are we?

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe liver disease due to infection with the Echinococcus multilocularis larval stage, called the metacestode. Management of AE is based on benzimidazole chemotherapy (albendazole or mebendazole), associated with surgery when possible. Benzimidazoles are the only compounds recommended for the treatment of AE; however, these are parasitostatic, which means that the parasite can resume growth when treatment is interrupted. Also, benzimidazoles can cause liver dysfunction which may prevent their use. Numerous drugs have been reported to have in vitro activity against E. multilocularis, but few had satisfactory in vivo activity, and none were clearly more effective than benzimidazoles. These drugs belong to various therapeutic categories including anti-infective agents (e.g. amphotericin B, mefloquine, pentamidine derivatives), anti-neoplastic compounds (e.g. imatinib, nilotinib, bortezomib), plant-extracted compounds (e.g. thymol, crocin, carvacrol) and others (e.g. metformin, verapamil, thiaclopride). These treatments are generally of limited interest due to their toxicity, their unfavorable pharmacokinetics, or the scarcity of studies involving humans. Apart from benzimidazoles, only amphotericin B, mefloquine and nitazoxanide have been reported to be used for human AE treatment, with unsatisfactory results. Few studies have aimed at developing innovative strategies for AE drug therapy, such as vectorization of drugs using nanoparticles. Altogether, this review emphasizes the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies in AE management, for which there is currently no curative chemotherapy.

Title: Chimiothérapie de l'échinococcose alvéolaire : où en sommes-nous ? Abstract: L'échinococcose alvéolaire (EA) est une maladie sévère du foie due à l'infection par la forme larvaire d'Echinococcus multilocularis, appelée métacestode. La prise en charge de l'EA repose sur la chimiothérapie par benzimidazolés (albendazole ou mébendazole), si possible associée à la chirurgie. Les benzimidazolés sont les seules molécules recommandées dans le traitement de l'EA, toutefois, ceux-ci sont parasitostatiques, ce qui signifie que le parasite peut reprendre sa croissance lors d'une interruption du traitement. Également, les benzimidazolés peuvent causer une dysfonction hépatique qui peut empêcher leur utilisation. De nombreux médicaments ont été rapportés comme ayant une activité in vitro contre E. multilocularis, mais peu d'entre eux avaient une activité in vivo satisfaisante et aucun n'était clairement plus efficace que les benzimidazolés. Ces médicaments appartiennent à diverses catégories, notamment les agents anti-infectieux (par exemple l'amphotéricine B, la méfloquine, des dérivés de la pentamidine), les composés antinéoplasiques (par exemple l'imatinib, le nilotinib, le bortézomib), les composés extraits de plantes (par exemple le thymol, la crocine, le carvacrol) et d'autres (par exemple metformine, vérapamil, thiaclopride). Ces traitements présentent généralement un intérêt limité en raison de leur toxicité, de leur pharmacocinétique défavorable ou de la rareté des études menées chez l'homme. Outre les benzimidazolés, seules l'amphotéricine B, la méfloquine et la nitazoxanide ont été utilisées dans le traitement de l'EA humaine, avec des résultats insatisfaisants. Peu d'études se sont intéressées à développer des stratégies médicamenteuses innovantes contre l'EA, comme la vectorisation de médicaments à l'aide de nanoparticules. Cette revue souligne le besoin urgent de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques dans la prise en charge de l'EA, pour lesquelles il n'existe pas de chimiothérapie curative.

Disseminated hydatidosis an unusual presentation: a case report.

Hydatidosis, also known as cystic echinococcosis, is a widespread zoonosis, caused by a tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus. It presents a significant public health concern, particularly in endemic areas. The occurrence of disseminated hydatid disease is uncommon, even in regions where it is endemic, with an incidence ranging from 1-8%. The definitive diagnosis relies on a parasitological method. In this work, we present an unusual case of disseminated hydatid disease that was diagnosed in the central parasitology-mycology laboratory of 'The Ibn Sina University Hospital'. This is a 21-year-old patient residing in a rural area, who presented with heaviness-type pain in the right hypochondrium, accompanied with nausea and vomiting. During the examination, the patient mentioned the contact with dogs. Abdominal radiography (ultrasound and CT) revealed findings suggestive of multiple hydatid cysts located in the liver and peritoneum. This suspicion was confirmed by positive hydatid serology. After 9 months of treatment with albendazole, the patient underwent surgery for excision of the cysts shown on the x-ray, as well as other cysts incidentally discovered intraoperatively at the pelvic and rectal levels. All of the extracted specimens were sent to the parasitology laboratory. The direct examination, along with the viability test, revealed the presence of hooks and scolex of non-viable Echinococcus granulosus. Disseminated hydatidosis is a rare but serious presentation, and the positive diagnosis relies on several epidemiological, clinical, radiological and parasitological arguments. Medical and surgical treatments play a crucial role in determining the patient's prognosis.

Challenges and pitfalls in managing lumbosacral hydatid disease: Lessons learned from clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: Lumbosacral hydatid disease (LHD), a rare skeletal parasitic disease that involves the lumbosacral region. In this study, we summarized the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with LHD to provide insights into managing this rare disease. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2023, 16 patients diagnosed with LHD were retrospectively analyzed. Each patient's medical records and follow-up details, were carefully assessed. The average follow-up period was 11.25 ± 6.41 years, providing valuable insights into treatment durability and effectiveness. RESULTS: The diagnosis was confirmed via imaging, serological tests, and pathological examination. The clinical symptoms included lumbago with lower limb numbness (25 %) and urinary and fecal incontinence (25 %). All patients underwent surgery, with an average of 2.6 surgeries per patient. Thirteen (81.25 %) patients experienced recurrence postoperatively. CONCLUSION: LHD is a severe and complex skeletal parasitic disease with significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Effective management requires a comprehensive strategy involving surgery and additional therapies.

The recurrence rate after primary resection cystic echinococcosis: A meta-analysis and systematic literature review.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic, complex, zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus Granulose tapeworms. The disease may present with a variety of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. Surgical intervention is the primary treatment modality for CE. Despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy, disease recurrence remains a major concern. Therefore, we aimed to determine the true rate of CE recurrence after primary resection and identify possible factors that increase the risk of recurrence. A systematic search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochran Library was conducted to identify studies reporting the incidence of CE recurrence after primary radical surgery. Data were pooled using random effect models. The disease prevalence was determined by calculating the ratio of CE recurrence and the total number of patients. A meta-regression was conducted to identify any potential factors linked to recurrence. A total of 38 eligible studies, with a total of 6,222 CE patients who underwent primary surgical removal, revealed a pooled recurrence rate of 8% (95% CI: 6%-10%). However, significant heterogeneity was observed (I2 p-value <0.001). Subgroup analysis by region showed the highest incidence of recurrence in European and Turkish studies, with rates of 11% (95% CI: 7%-17%) and 9% (95% CI: 5%-14%), respectively. The lowest recurrence rate was observed in Asian studies, with a rate of 4% (95% CI: 2%-7%). Moreover, the non-radical intervention has a recurrence of 5% (95%CI: 4%-7%), radical 7% (95%CI: 6%-9%), and studies that contained both interventions have 10% (95%CI: 6%-16%), P-value= 0.04. This is the first meta-analysis to evaluate the overall incidence of CE recurrence after primary surgical removal. The study also revealed a substantial degree of heterogeneity across the included studies and indicated possible risk factors for higher recurrence rates, such as the study's geographic area, type of surgery and the year it was published. These findings will help to guide future research in developing effective strategies to prevent or reduce CE recurrence and improve patient outcomes.

A pilot study of microRNAs expression profile in plasma of patients with hydatid disease: potential immunomodulation of hydatid disease.

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease, which seriously endangers human health. The immune game between parasite and host is not fully understood. Exosomes are thought to be one of the ways of information communication between parasite and host. In this study, we attempted to explore the communication between Echinococcus granulosus and its host through the medium of exosomes. We collected plasma from E. granulosus patients (CE-EXO) and healthy donors (HD-EXO) and extracted exosomes from the plasma. The expression profile of miRNA in plasma was determined by second generation sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to annotate the function of target genes of differential miRNAs. Meanwhile, we co-cultured plasma exosomes from healthy donors and plasma exosomes from E. granulosus patients with Jurkat T cells with or without phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. The expression of CD69 on Jurkat T cells was detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that the miRNA of exosomes between healthy donors and E. granulosus patients was significantly different. GO and KEGG were used to annotate the function of target genes of differential miRNAs. The results indicate that many important pathways are involved in inflammation, metabolism, and immune response after parasite infection, such as p53 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Flow cytometry showed that CE-EXO reduced the expression of CD69 + on Jurkat T cells. Our present results suggest that these differentially expressed miRNAs may be important regulators of parasite-host interactions. Meanwhile, functional prediction of its target genes provides valuable information for understanding the mechanism of host-parasite interactions. These results provide clues for future studies on E. granulosus escape from host immune attack, which could help control E. granulosus infection.

[Hepatotoxicity due to albendazole: safe alternatives for echinococcosis therapy]. / Hepatotoxizität durch Albendazol: sichere Alternativen bei Echinokokkosetherapie.

Infection with Echinococcus multilocularis leads to the clinical manifestation of alveolar echinococcosis. This is characterized by the formation of alveolar liver tumours, which usually disintegrate necrotically in the course of the disease. Pseudocysts are formed. Especially in the early stages, curative resection followed by long-term treatment with albendazole is recommended. However, the majority of patients are not amenable to curative surgery. In these cases, albendazole therapy is the first-choice treatment. We present a rare case of albendazole-associated hepatitis in a patient with inoperable Echinococcus multilocularis infection, with a favourable outcome following a change in treatment to mebendazole.

Comparison of three LAMP protocols for the simultaneous detection of DNA from species that produce cystic echinococcosis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by species of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato complex. Different types of canids may act as definitive hosts by eating raw viscera infected with fertile hydatid cysts. The intermediate host (mainly ungulates) and humans acquire the infection through the fecal oral route (i.e. egg ingestion). Globally, more than 1 million people are affected by CE, causing a loss of 1-3 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and a financial burden of US$ 3 billion annually. Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) protocols promise to be a useful tool to detect DNA, providing a low cost and thermocycle-free methodology. Given that surveillance for CE can be performed in feces from canids or other environmental matrixes contaminated with eggs, the characteristics of a LAMP protocol would favor implementation in endemic areas with basic resources. Herein, we compared three LAMP protocols for the simultaneous detection of E. granulosus s.l. species that cause CE. This comparation was carried with DNA obtained from different stages of E. granulosus s.l. Two of these are newly developed protocols that showed good analytical sensitivity and specificity. In both cases, the use of malachite green dye to directly visualize the test result was possible. From these two new LAMP protocols, one had better values for the detection of DNA from different types of E. granulosus s.l. DNA samples. Therefore, through this study, we provide a low-cost new tool for DNA detection of E. granulosus s.l. in poorly equipped laboratories from endemic areas.

Hydatid cysts in the mesocolon mimicking peritoneal pseudomyxoma in a post-appendectomy patient: A case report.

We aimed to present a case of two mesocolonic hydatid cysts that mimicked the presentation of peritoneal pseudomyxoma. Hydatidosis is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the cestode Echinococcus spp., whose larval stage affects various organs. The present case describes a 40-year-old male patient who presented with severe lower abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The patient underwent an appendectomy and was later referred to an oncology surgery clinic because of imaging findings suggestive of peritoneal pseudomyxoma or carcinomatosis. A video-assisted laparoscopic procedure revealed two cysts and microscopic findings confirmed hydatid cysts. The patient was from a hydatidosis-endemic region of southern Brazil. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and the need for a multidisciplinary approach and careful histopathological analysis in patients with complex abdominal conditions. This also demonstrates the importance of disseminating knowledge about this condition and its management.

Case report: a rare case of intradural and pleural wall cystic echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is prevalent in livestock farming regions around the world. However, it remains relatively rare compared to other infectious diseases. CE typically affects the liver, lungs, brain, and kidneys. Spinal and pleural wall involvement is exceedingly rare. We report a unique case of intradural and pleural wall CE in a young male, successfully treated with surgery and postoperative medication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old Tibetan male from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was diagnosed with intradural and pleural wall CE through imaging, serology, and surgical pathology. According to the Dew/Braithwaite & Lees (BL) classification, his condition was an exceptionally rare form of spinal echinococcosis, compounded by an even rarer pleural wall involvement. Prompt surgical intervention and postoperative medication resulted in significant improvement in spinal cord compression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of rare CE locations. MRI proved superior to CT in diagnosing bony cystic echinococcosis. Early surgical intervention combined with medication facilitates spinal cord function recovery, providing valuable insights for managing similar cases.