Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Lebanon: A Retrospective Study and Molecular Epidemiology

Molecular characterization and haplotypes of hydatid cyst isolates collected from humans and ruminants in Setif Province (northeast of Algeria) based on mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (mt-CO1) gene sequences

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease has significant health and economic impacts worldwide, particularly in endemic areas. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hydatid cysts in ruminants (cattle and sheep) (n = 2060) from the Setif Province of Algeria using microscopy. The results showed that hydatid cysts were detected in 9.6% (198/2060) of ruminants, with a higher prevalence in cattle (16.8%; 56/333) compared to sheep (8.2%; 142/1727). Molecular techniques were used to analyze a subset of animals consisting of 30 sheep and 4 cattle. Specifically, a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mt-CO1) gene was sequenced and compared to sequences from seven humans from the same region. The results indicated that all isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto. Haplotype analysis identified 19 E. granulosus s.s. haplotypes arranged like a star, with the dominant haplotype (Hap04) at the center. Hap04 has been assigned a total of 17 positives, including positives from sheep, cattle, and two humans. This study is noteworthy for being the first to use a molecular approach to human and ruminant echinococcosis in Setif, a significant breeding region in Algeria.

Basic Operative Tactics for Pulmonary Echinococcosis in the Era of Endostaplers and Energy Devices

Human echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larvae of the tapeworm species Echinococcus. The liver is the most common location for a primary echinococcosis. However, the parasite may bypass or spread from the liver to the lungs, causing primary or secondary pulmonary echinococcosis, respectively. Pulmonary echinococcosis is a clinically challenging condition in which anthelminthic regiments are important, but surgery has the central role in removing the cysts and preventing recurrences. Surgical treatment may involve cystotomy, enucleation, capitonnage, or atypical resections, which occasionally are in combination with hepatic procedures. The utilization of modern devices is greatly underdescribed in surgery for thoracic infections, even though these facilitate much of the work. Therefore, this article aims to describe pulmonary echinococcosis and the role of modern surgical devices in the treatment process. Furthermore, we report surgical treatment of three different cases of pulmonary echinococcosis. Surgeries of uncomplicated and ruptured hepatic or pulmonary cysts are described. Simple small pulmonary echinococcal lesions can be excised by endostaplers both for diagnostic and curative reasons. Larger cysts can be removed by energy devices unless large bronchial air leaks occur. Complicated cysts require treatment by more extensive techniques. Inexperienced surgeons should not abstain but should carefully decide preoperatively how to proceed.

Molecular and immunological diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis from different hosts in the Gaza strip, Palestine

The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from faecal samples of dogs and the hydatid cyst from liver of bovine, camel, cattle, and sheep and the immunodiagnosis of Hydatid cyst in human sera samples from the Gaza Strip, in Palestine. A total of 38 faecal samples were collected near farms and local markets where stray dogs were grouping there. Post-slaughtering, the livers of the bovine, camel, cattle, and sheep were examined for cysts. Where 30 suspected hydatid cysts were collected, the number and size of cysts in each liver were recorded. For serology, 23 sera specimens were collected from farmers within the Gaza Strip. According to hospital records in Gaza, 12 patients had attended three different hospitals and had tested positive for hydatid cyst/cystic echinococcosis by CT scans and histopathology. ELISA results from the 23 human patients showed that 3/23 (13%) tested positive for hydatid disease. Of the 30 bovine and cattle harboring cysts, 14/30 (46.6%) were positive for hydatid cyst/cystic echinococcosis of which 23 (76.7%) were males and 7 (23.3%) were females. The present study shows that 6/38 (15.7%) were positive for E. granulosus sensu lato from faecal analysis in dogs. Subsequent sequencing of both dogs and cattle confirmed infection by the G1 strain. The cattle/dog strain (G1) of E.granulosus sensu lato suggests that this infection is cosmopolitan in its distribution. It is concluded that the detection of hydatid cyst/cystic echinococcosis in the examined hosts either human or animals should be considered among physicians and a large sample size is recommended in future research.

Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Cattle and Sheep from North Macedonia

Cystic echinococcosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, commonly seen in areas where livestock and dogs are kept together. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep in North Macedonia and to evaluate the location and fertility/sterility rates of the cysts. A total of 302 slaughtered animals were examined with visual inspection, palpation, and incision of the internal organs in order to detect cysts. Microscopic examination was carried out to determine the presence of protoscoleces. The overall prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep was 60%. The presence of cysts increased with age in cattle. In both cattle and sheep, the most common affected organs were the liver and lungs infected with more than one cyst. The findings showed higher fertility rate in sheep which confirmed their role as the most important intermediate host. This study shows that North Macedonia is an endemic region, and serious control strategies should be implemented, with special emphasis on safety disposal of infected organs and anthelmintic treatment of the dogs.

Epidemiological aspects of echinococcosis of the liver and other organs in the Republic of Uzbekistan

Introduction

Recently, in international medical organizations, more and more interest is shown towards diseases in humans, among which the cystic form of echinococcosis (CE) is given special importance. As a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus and the Taeniidae family, CE in 2014 was recognized globally by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO as the second most important foodborne parasitic pathology. In the 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considered CE among the food-borne parasites of highest relevance in Europe.

Purpose

to study the actual epidemiology of human echinococcosis lesion in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2015–2019 to highlight the mean annual incidence of this pathology in all regions of the country, as well as the extensive value of the proportion of echinococcosis of the liver (EL), lungs (LE) and other localizations.

Material and methods

The officially registered data for all regions of the country for 2015–2019 were studied. An ultrasound screening of the abdominal organs of the population of the Khorezm region was carried out during 2019 to determine the effectiveness of early diagnosis of EL. A total of 104,284 inhabitants were examined, of which 38,660 were children and 65,624 were adults.

Results

According to the processed statistical data for all regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2015–2019 on average, 2105.0 ± 43.3 patients with echinococcosis of various localizations were diagnosed. The mean annual incidence was 6.5 ± 0.09 per 100,000 inhabitants. The extensive value of the EL share was 79.4 ± 0.9% (1672.2 ± 35.6 on average per year), high-level rate - 5.2 ± 0.08 per 100,000 inhabitants; the proportion of LE was 14.0 ± 0.8% (295.2 ± 17.8), the prevalence was 0.9 ± 0.06 per 100,000 inhabitants; the proportion of echinococcosis of other localizations was 6.5 ± 0.5% (137.6 ± 13.4), the high-level value was 0.4 ± 0.03 per 100,000 inhabitants. The frequency of detection of the liver or other abdominal organs echinococcosis during screening ultrasound in the Khorezm region was 0.009%, in turn, the examination of family members of these patients increased this indicator to 0.011%.

Cystic echinococcosis in humans and animals in Egypt: An epidemiological overview

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato), is a serious neglected zoonotic disease in many parts of the world, including Egypt. Thus far, the actual incidence of CE in the Egyptian population remains unknown. Infection with E. granulosus (s.l.) is common among stray dogs in rural and suburban areas owing to the spread of parasite eggs. Herein, we present an updated review of published data on the incidence of CE in humans and animals as well as the genotypes prevalent in Egypt. CE occurs in most parts of Egypt; however, available data are mostly from northern Egypt, particularly Cairo and Giza. In southern Egypt, the disease is likely to be underdiagnosed or underreported. A few risk factors were studied. In the Egyptian population, residency in rural areas, farming, and age were significant factors for acquiring CE. In livestock, age, sex and season have been associated with high prevalence of CE. Several genotypes have been identified among livestock (G1, G4, G5, G6 and G7) and humans (G1, G6 and G7). This literature review underscores the need for a precise national surveillance system to track CE distribution in humans and animals and design appropriate preventive and control strategies for this disease.

•

A review summarizing the epidemiological data for Echinococcus granulosus (s.l.) infections in Egypt.

•

Egypt is an endemic area for cystic echinococcosis in the human population and livestock.

•

Genotypes G1, G4, G5, G6 and G7 of E. granulosus (s.l.) were reported in Egypt.

•

A national surveillance system to track cystic echinococcosis in Egypt is needed.