A 38-year-old female was admitted due to recurrent right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain. Three years prior to admission, the patient complained of a sudden onset of RUQ pain radiating to the right flank area. A month after the onset of pain, she consulted a physician, and she was advised to undergo endoscopy, but she did not comply. Three months after the consultation, an abdominal ultrasound was done, revealing a simple hepatic cyst. She then underwent aspiration of the cyst. However there was no resolution of the pain. A contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a recurrence of the hepatic cyst. Subsequently, she underwent laparoscopic fenestration of the cyst in liver segments VI, VII, and VIII. The biopsy results confirmed that the hepatic cyst was a hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus granulosus. A month after the procedure, the abdominal pain recurred, and a repeat CT scan revealed another recurrence of the cyst. The patient was advised to undergo open surgery, but she did not consent. The patient denied taking anthelmintic drugs in the past. She did not experience any other symptoms—such as jaundice, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, or weight loss—along with the RUQ pain. She previously worked in Lebanon as a domestic helper for seven years and then moved to Taiwan, where she was employed for three years for the same work. She denied any direct exposure to dogs or sheep. On physical examination, she had a non-tender, firm, palpable mass in the RUQ area of the abdomen measuring 4x4 cm. The rest of the physical examination findings were unremarkable. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the whole abdomen done two months prior to her admission showed multiple, well-defined, hypodense lesions in the right hepatic lobe. These lesions exhibited mildly enhancing walls and internal septations with rosette or honeycomb appearance. The two largest lesions seen in hepatic segments V and VII measured 8.6 x 6.1 x 5.2 cm and 9.5 x 8.5 x 7.4 cm, respectively (Figure 1). Similar hypodense lesions were seen in the right retroperitoneal space. At least two lesions were visible in the right perirenal space, measuring 8.8 x 6.1 x 6.5 cm and 6.1 x 5.9 x 3.8 cm, and at least two other lesions were visible in the right anterior pararenal space, within the region of the distal ascending colon, measuring 6.0 x 5.5 x 5.4 cm and 7.9 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm (Figure 2). At this point, we diagnosed the patient as having a recurrent hydatid cyst in the right hepatic lobe, with intraperitoneal extension in the right perirenal space and right anterior pararenal space, based on the CT scan findings. After securing medical clearance and administering mebendazole prophylactically at a dosage of 40 mg/kg/day, taken 3 times a day for 7 days prior to surgery, we aimed to sterilize the hydatid cysts and prevent surgical contamination.1 We did an exploratory laparotomy through a reverse L (Makuuchi) skin incision on the right upper abdominal quadrant (Figure 3). We subsequently performed a layered dissection down to the peritoneum. Intraoperatively, we noted adhesions at the posterior segments of the liver, right diaphragm and mid transverse colon. We then meticulously performed adhesiolysis. With extreme caution, we ensured to prevent any spillage of the cystic contents into adjacent structures and the abdominal cavity. Then, we covered the abdomen with abdominal packs soaked in 95% ethanol. Intraoperative liver ultrasonography revealed only one cystic lesion involving hepatic segments V, VI, and VII. The cyst was adherent to the right subdiaphragmatic area. We also noted multiple intraperitoneal cysts: one adherent to the right perirenal area measuring 8 x 6 cm, another adherent to the distal ascending colon and the mid transverse colon measuring 7 x 6 cm, and a third one non-adherent and floating in the anterior pararenal area measuring 4 x 4 cm. Before excising the intrahepatic mother cyst, we aspirated approximately 30-40 ml of cyst fluid and infused the cyst with an equivalent amount of 95% ethanol. After 15 minutes, we reaspirated the infused ethanol. We first carefully excised the intraperitoneal extensions of the cyst, (Figure 4) starting with the cyst in the distal ascending colon, then the cyst in the anterior pararenal area, and finally the right perirenal cyst, taking extreme caution to avoid rupturing the cyst. We then proceeded with the dissection of the hepatoduodenal ligament, where the portal triad is located, to provide access for our Pringle Maneuver. This step was followed by adhesiolysis at the right subdiaphragmatic area. Because of dense adhesions, there was a diaphragmatic injury, for which we performed phrenicorrhaphy. We then mobilized the right hepatic lobe through careful dissection of the triangular and coronary ligaments. The margins were marked under ultrasound guidance and the Pringle Maneuver was applied intermittently. We then carried out a parenchymal-sparing resection of segments V, VI, and VII. After securing hemostasis, we placed a Jackson Pratt drain in the subhepatic area. At the end of the surgery, we successfully resected hepatic segments V, VI, and VII, which contained an intrahepatic mother cyst with multiple spherical daughter cysts. Additionally, we excised three secondary cysts from the intraperitoneal area. Grossly, the excised specimen showed the right posterior segment of the liver with a surgically resected yellowish multiseptated cyst attached to it. This cyst has a fibrous rim and it contains several variable-sized daughter cysts (Figure 5). The excised intraperitoneal cyst from the distal ascending colon to mid transverse colon area (Figure 6), has a thick wall with a laminated external layer (Figure 7). The histopathological examination of the hydatid cyst showed E. granulosus protoscolices containing four acetabula and an armed rostellum with 30 to 36 hooks (Figure 8) . Sections of the liver showed liver parenchyma that was infiltrated by mononuclear cells. Adjacent to the liver parenchyma, the hydatid cyst wall contains an outer acellular laminated membrane, a germinal membrane, and remnants of the E. granulosus protoscolices, which resembled grains of sand (Figure 9 and 10). Postoperatively, the patient complained of dyspnea and tachypnea. On chest physical examination, we noted decreased breath sounds on the right. A chest x-ray done revealed a right-sided pneumothorax. Pneumothorax can occur during hepatectomy due to the escape of intraperitoneal carbon dioxide gas into the pleural cavity.2 We performed a chest tube thoracostomy insertion, and removed the tube after 5 days, once we observed full expansion of the patient’s right lung. We discharged the patient on the 9th postoperative day and prescribed oral antibiotics and pain relievers as home medications. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid disease is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by infection with the larval stage of the tapeworm E. granulosus. Dogs and other carnivores are definitive hosts, while sheep, cattle, and goats are intermediate hosts. Humans are accidental, intermediate hosts and become secondarily infected by ingesting food or water contaminated with eggs or gravid proglottids that are excreted in the definitive host’s feces. CE is endemic in North and East Africa, South America, China and Central Asia, and the Mediterranean countries.3 4 5 6 This disease has a low prevalence in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines.7 In our case, the patient probably acquired the infection when she worked in Lebanon, where echinococcosis is endemic. The liver and the lungs are the most common sites of the disease in humans. The concomitant occurrence of the cyst in the retroperitoneum or other intra-abdominal spaces is extremely rare,8 9 and it is associated with a high mortality and disability rate.10 Abdominal CT scan is a good imaging technique for visualizing wall calcifications in CE,11 and in our patient, enhancing walls and internal septations, which represent the walls of daughter cysts, were seen. Peritoneal seeding or cyst dissemination can occur due to a previous hepatic hydatid cyst surgery or after a spontaneous or traumatic rupture.12 These secondary cysts are formed from the liberated protoscolices caused by rupture of the daughter cysts.13 Although rare, when a cyst ruptures into the peritoneal cavity, it can lead to reactions ranging from mild hypersensitivity reaction to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.14 A preoperative course of oral albendazole or mebendazole, as in the case of our patient’s medication, sterilizes the cysts and reduces their tension, thereby facilitating the surgery.15 16 It also kills most of the protoscolices within the hepatic hydatid cyst.17 Postoperatively, these drugs significantly reduce the risk of cyst recurrence.16 The prognosis of CE is generally good, and a complete cure is possible with total surgical excision without spillage.18 For hepatic echinococcosis, it is crucial to prioritize radical surgical resection in the initial surgery and preoperative anthelmintic therapy to minimize morbidity and recurrence often linked with conservative surgery.16 19
Cysts ; Echinococcus granulosus

The larval stages of the cestode parasites belonging to the genus Echinococcus grow within internal organs of humans and a range of animal species. The resulting diseases, collectively termed echinococcoses, include major neglected tropical diseases of humans and livestock. Echinococcus larvae are outwardly protected by the laminated layer (LL), an acellular structure that is unique to this genus. The LL is based on a fibrillar meshwork made up of mucins, which are decorated by galactose-rich O-glycans. In addition, in the species cluster termed E. granulosus sensu lato, the LL features nano-deposits of the calcium salt of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (Insp6). The main purpose of our article is to update the immunobiology of the LL. Major recent advances in this area are (i) the demonstration of LL "debris" at the infection site and draining lymph nodes, (ii) the characterization of the decoy activity of calcium Insp6 with respect to complement, (iii) the evidence that the LL mucin carbohydrates interact specifically with a lectin receptor expressed in Kupffer cells (Clec4F), and (iv) the characterization of what appear to be receptor-independent effects of LL particles on dendritic cells and macrophages. Much information is missing on the immunology of this intriguing structure: we discuss gaps in knowledge and propose possible avenues for research.
Animals ; Calcium ; Echinococcosis/parasitology* ; Echinococcus/immunology* ; Echinococcus granulosus/immunology* ; Mucins

Objective To investigate the effect of Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid(EgCF) on the cytoskeletal rearrangement and phagocytosis and the migration of macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods Peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6 mice were isolated and cultured in vitro, and divided into control group and LPS group and LPS combined with EgCF group. After 48 hours of treatment, filamentous actin (F-actin) changes were observed with rhodamine-labelled phalloidin staining and fluorescence microscopy; Transwell^TM chamber was used to test cell migration ability and flow cytometry to test cell phagocytosis. After 1 hour of treatment, PI3K and AKT, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), Rac1, guanosine triphospho-Rac1 (GTP-Rac1), WASP and Arp2 protein expressions were detected with Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, after LPS stimulation, macrophages were deformed significantly; pseudopodia increased; actin cytoskeleton increased and was more distributed in pseudopodia; the ability of migration and phagocytosis were significantly improved, and the expression of PI3K, p-AKT, GTP-Rac1, WASP and Arp2 proteins significantly increased. EgCF treatment caused cell shrinkage and disappearance of pseudopodia protrusions of LPS-activated cells, and led to the reduced phagocytic and migratory of cells; the protein expression of PI3K, p-AKT, GTP-Rac1, WASP and Arp2 decreased significantly compared with the LPS group. Conclusion LPS induces the migration and enhances phagocytosis of macrophages while EgCF inhibits these effects, which is related to actin cytoskeleton rearrangement.
Mice ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Echinococcus granulosus/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Cyst Fluid/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Phagocytosis ; Actins/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Guanosine Triphosphate/pharmacology*

Echinococcosis is mainly prevalent in the agricultural and pastoral areas in the northwest of China, but it is relatively rare in Hunan Province. Here, we reported the clinical data of a case of echinococcosis in Hunan Province. The patient was an 11-year-old male, who sought treatment at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University due to abdominal mass. According to the symptoms, signs, and laboratory examinations, he was initially diagnosed as "intra-abdominal mass" and "spleen cyst". Subsequently, he underwent abdominal massive occupying resection and splenectomy. Postoperative pathological examination revealed the cuticle and germinal layer of hydatid and protoscolex, which was consistent with characteristics of echinococcosis. In addition, the serological examination showed that the specific anti-hydatid IgG antibody was positive. Combined with the patient's condition, he was given praziquantel treatment. After a month of follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic.
Animals ; Child ; China ; Echinococcosis/surgery* ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Humans ; Male ; Splenectomy

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep is a hazardous zoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by Echinococcus granulosus (Eg). At present, serological test is an important diagnostic method for Eg infection in domestic animals. Here, a fusion protein Eg mefAg-1 harboring 8 dominant B-cell epitopes of Eg such as antigen B, tetraspanin 1, tetraspanin 6, reticulon and Eg95 was produced in E. coli and evaluated for CE in sheep by indirect ELISA. Eg mefAg-1 showed in ELISA a high sensitivity (93.41%) and specificity (99.31%), with a coincidence rate of 97.02%. Overall, it is suggested that the Eg mefAg-1 could be a potential antigen candidate for CE serodiagnosis in sheep.
Animals, Domestic ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; Methods ; Parasitic Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests ; Sheep

Echinococcus granulosus is an important zoonotic parasite globally causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and animals. In this study, prevalence of CE and variation of cox1 gene sequence were analyzed with isolates E. granulosus collected from different areas in northern Xinjiang, China. The survey showed that 3.5% of sheep and 4.1% of cattle were infected with CE. Fragment of cox1 was amplified from all the positive sheep and cattle samples by PCR. In addition, 26 positive samples across the 4 areas were included. The isolates were all E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) containing 15 haplotypes (Hap1-15), and clustered into 2 genotypes, G1 (90.1%, 91/101) and G3 (9.9%, 10/101). Hap1 was the most common haplotype (48.5%, 49/101). Hap9 were found in humans samples, indicating that sheep and cattle reservoir human CE. It is indicate that E. granulosus may impact on control of CE in livestock and humans in the region.
Animals ; Cattle ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Echinococcus ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Livestock ; Parasites ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Sheep

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasitic infections and associated risk factors for the human infection among the people of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Infection status of helminths including Echinococcus granulosus was surveyed in domestic and wild animals from 4 sites in the Samarkand region, Uzbekistan during 2015–2018. Fecal samples of each animal were examined with the formalin-ether sedimentation technique and the recovery of intestinal helminths was performed with naked eyes and a stereomicroscope in total 1,761 animals (1,755 dogs, 1 golden jackal, and 5 Corsac foxes). Total 658 adult worms of E. granulosus were detected in 28 (1.6%) dogs and 1 (100%) golden jackal. More than 6 species of helminths, i.e., Taenia hydatigena, Dipylidium caninum, Diplopylidium nolleri, Mesocestoides lineatus, Toxocara canis, and Trichuris vulpis, were found from 18 (1.0%) dogs. Six (T. hydatigena, Toxascaris leonina, Alaria alata, Uncinaria stenocephala, D. caninum, and M. lineatus) and 2 (D. nolleri and M. lineatus) species of helminths were also detected from 5 Corsac foxes and 1 golden jackal, respectively. Taeniid eggs were found in 2 (20%) out of 10 soil samples. In the present study, it was confirmed that the prevalences of helminths including E. granulosus are not so high in domestic and wild animals. Nevertheless, the awareness on the zoonotic helminth infections should be continuously maintained in Uzbekistan for the prevention of human infection.
Adult ; Ancylostomatoidea ; Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Dogs ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Eggs ; Foxes ; Helminths ; Humans ; Jackals ; Mesocestoides ; Ovum ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Soil ; Taenia ; Toxascaris ; Toxocara canis ; Trichuris ; Uzbekistan

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus at the larval stage, predominantly develops in the liver and lungs of intermediate hosts and eventually results in organ malfunction or even death. The interaction between E. granulosus and human body is incompletely understood. Exosomes are nanosized particles ubiquitously present in human body fluids. Exosomes carry biomolecules that facilitate communication between cells. To the best of our knowledge, the role of exosomes in patients with CE is not reported. Here, we isolated exosomes from the sera of patients with CE (CE-exo) and healthy donors and subjected them to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Proteomic analysis identified 49 proteins specifically expressed in CE-exo, including 4 proteins of parasitic origin. The most valuable parasitic proteins included tubulin alpha-1C chain and histone H4. And 8 proteins were differentially regulated in CE-exo (fold change>1.5), as analyzed with bioinformatic methods such as annotation and functional enrichment analyses. These findings may improve our understanding about the interaction between E. granulosus and human body, and may contribute to the diagnosis and prevention of CE.
Computational Biology ; Diagnosis ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Echinococcus ; Exosomes ; Gene Ontology ; Histones ; Human Body ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Mass Spectrometry ; Tissue Donors ; Tubulin ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVE: Hydatid cyst disease is caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. It is rarely seen in the vertebral system, occurring at a rate of 0.2–1%. The aim of this study is to present 12 spinal hydatid cyst cases, and propose a new type of drainage of the cyst.METHODS: Twelve cases of spinal hydatid cysts, surgical operations, multiple operations, chronic recurrences, and spinal hydatic cyst excision methods are discussed in the context of the literature. Patients are operated between 2005 and 2016. All the patients are kept under routine follow up. Patient demographic data and clinicopathologic characteristics are examined.RESULTS: Six male and six female patients with a median age of 38.6 at the time of surgery were included in the study. Spinal cyst hydatid infection sites were one odontoid, one cervical, five thoracic, two lumbar, and three sacral. In all cases, surgery was performed, with the aim of total excision of the cyst, decompression of the spinal cord, and if necessary, stabilization of the spinal column. Mean follow up was 61.3 months (10–156). All the patients were prescribed Albendazole. Three patients had secondary hydatid cyst infection (one lung and two hepatic).CONCLUSION: The two-way drainage catheter placed inside a cyst provides post-operative chlorhexidine washing inside the cavity. Although a spinal hydatid cyst is a benign pathology and seen rarely, it is extremely difficult to achieve a real cure for patients with this disease. Treatment modalities should be aggressive and include total excision of cyst without rupture, decompression of spinal cord, flushing of the area with scolicidal drugs, and ensuring spinal stabilization. After the operation the patients should be kept under routine follow up. Radiological and clinical examinations are useful in spotting a recurrence.
Albendazole ; Catheters ; Chlorhexidine ; Decompression ; Drainage ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Female ; Flushing ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Metrorrhagia ; Parasites ; Pathology ; Recurrence ; Rupture ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

Parasite infections of humans and animals remain a major global health problem, with limited choice of drugs being available to the treatment of parasitosis in the clinic. Sophora moorcroftiana (S. moorcroftiana) is a shrub that grows in Tibet Plateau of China. Decoction of the seeds has been used as a traditional Tibetan medicine to treat parasitosis for years. But the anti-parasitic effects of water-soluble fractions in the seeds need further investigation. In the present study, the water-soluble alkaloid fractions (E2) were obtained from S. moorcroftiana seeds by refluxing extraction with 60% ethanol and low polarity fraction (E2-a) and high polarity fraction (E2-b) were subsequently isolated from E2 using column chromatography. As a parasite model, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were treated with different fractions and their survivals were recorded. The results showed that that E2-a induced a lower survival rate in C. elegans than E2-b and E2. The protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) were cultured in the presence of E2-a. Compared with E2-b and E2, protoscoleces exhibited decreased survival rate following E2-a treatment. Furtherly, the effects of E2-a on the behavior, brood size, and lifespan of the worms were investigated. Body bend frequencies of the worms treated with the high concentration of E2-a were reduced by two-thirds compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with non-E2-a-treated group, exposure of nematodes to E2-a led to a decrease in head thrashes and pharyngeal pumps frequency (P < 0.01). E2-a treatment resulted in a significantly lower brood size (P < 0.01). Additional E2-a treatment induced a significantly shortened lifespan, compared with the control (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that water-soluble fraction E2-a from S. moorcroftiana seeds was a potential helminthic agent.
Animals ; Anthelmintics ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; drug effects ; physiology ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Echinococcosis ; drug therapy ; parasitology ; Echinococcus granulosus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry