This paper reports the histologic changes in the proliferation and growth of two echinococcus types in 25 patients, 15 with liver or lung cystic echinococcosis and 10 with liver alveolar echinococcosis. The results indicated that these two echinococcus types shared two modes of proliferation including exogenous and endogenous budding. In cystic echinococcus type, endogenous budding showed localized hyperplasia of the germinal membrane, the formation of the brood capsule, and the development of the protoscolices. Exogenous budding appeared chiefly in the migratory process of the protoscolices from the germinal membrane to the outside of the exocyst passing through the laminated layer and the fibro-exocystic wall (Figs. 1-4). In alveolar echinococcus type, endogenous budding was characterized by the propagation of the alveolar wall towards the intra-alveolar cavity with the formation of septum. Exogenous budding showed the alveolar wall propagated towards the exterior to produce daughter and grand-daughter alveoli (Figs. 5-7).

OBJECTIVETo review the current regional distribution of echinococcosis in China for the purpose of providing the scientific data for the control of echinococcosis in the future.

DATA SOURCESAll data in this paper were originated from related references in Chinese or English language Chinese journals except one from Lancet.

STUDY SELECTIONThirty-one original articles published from 1983 - 2001 were selected according to the stated purpose and 7 of them were written by the author.

DATA EXTRACTIONThe present paper addresses cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis(AE), as well as their respective regional distribution.

RESULTSCE was distributed chiefly in Western China where Gansu, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, west Sichuan and Qingzang plateau were hyper-endemic areas. Regional distribution of AE was not so extensive as that of CE, but it was found mainly in northwest China as well. Moreover, AE was extremely harmful to human body and "AE cancer" is popularly called.

CONCLUSIONSteps should be taken in the future heath policy to control its spread. Regional distribution of echinococcosis is so extensive in China that CE and AE should be increasingly controlled today.

China ; epidemiology ; Echinococcosis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Health Policy ; Humans

Adult ; Albendazole ; therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Brain ; parasitology ; pathology ; Echinococcosis, Hepatic ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Echinococcosis, Pulmonary ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of a novel compound derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treatment of alveolar echinococcosis in the Kuming mouse.

METHODSThe compound was extracted from TCM by serial procedures including amalgamation of TCM drugs, boiling in a beaker, cold condensation using a reflux instrument, evaporation by mild heating and finally, formation of a deep brown powder. An animal model of alveolar echinococcosis was established concurrently. A bit of alveococcus tissue derived from alveolar echinococcosis in the mouse was transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of the musculus of a Kuming mouse. The duration of infection after inoculation was classified as either 1 week or 10 weeks; the animals were again divided into treated groups and control groups. Estimation of the alveococcus inhibitory rate and electron microscopic observation served as the main methods for assessment of efficacy. The infected mice in the treated groups were intra-gastrically administered once per day with the TCM extractive powder at doses of 20 mg.kg(-1) for three months continuously. All the animals were sacrificed and examined half a month after the end of TCM treatment.

RESULTSTotal wet weight of alveococcus collected from the 9 mice in the treated group after one week of infection was 37.8 g (x +/- s, 4.196 +/- 2.090 g), which was markedly lower than the amount collected from 10 mice of the control group (121.3 g, x +/- s, 12.1 +/- 4.3 g). Therefore, the inhibitory rate of the alveococcus was 65.7% (P < 0.01). Similarly, the total wet weight of alveococcus from 7 mice of the treated group after 10 weeks of infection was 4.3 g (x +/- s, 0.62 +/- 1.21 g), which was much lower than the amount collected from 6 mice of the control group (17.85 g, x +/- s, 2.93 +/- 3.28 g). The inhibitory rate of alveococcus was 80.6% (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the ultrastructural appearances of alveococcus showed obvious differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONTCM extractive powder for treatment of murine alveococcosis is considered to be a hopeful anti-echinococcus compound; it is a topic for further study.

Animals ; Echinococcosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron

PURPOSETo review 54 cases of human myiasis in China reported from 1995-2001 in order to characterize the current epidemic situation.

DATE SOURCESAll reference data originated from some Chinese literature in Chinese medical journals. Twenty-four short reports published from 1995-2001 were selected according to the stated purpose. Due to the varied outcomes of myiasis at different sites in the body, the present paper is divided into 7 types of infection: ocular, nasal cavity, external auricular, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and traumatic myiasis.

RESULTSOf these 54 selected cases of myiasis in China from 1995-2001, hypodermic myiasis (31 patients) and ocular myiasis (12 patients) were the most common, comprising 43 cases (80%). The cases were equally distributed amongst both genders. Furthermore, most of the infected were children and infants, totaling 39 cases, or 72%. The regional distribution of myiasis was widespread throughout the sixteen provinces and autonomous regions in question.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough not always reported, myiasis is a common zoonotic parasitosis occurring in most of China's territories. Due to its prevalence, preventive measures for myiasis are urgently needed.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myiasis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Time Factors