Echinococcus contamination ratio and its related risk factors in Moghan plain, northwest of Iran

Practice of Surgical Treatment for Patients with Combined Echinococcosis of Chest and Abdominal Organs

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological significance of echinococcosis is determined by the severe clinical progression leading to disability, incapacitation and death, a wide range of hosts, and formation of synanthropic and mixed lesions. The aim of the work was to analyze cases of combined echinococcosis of the chest and abdominal organs and the results of its surgical treatment in clinics of Almaty (Kazakhstan) from 1997 to 2019.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 413 patients, 534 lesions of echinococcosis were revealed: single and multiple cysts. Concurrent echinococcectomy of 2-3 organs was performed in 261 patients; meanwhile phased echinococcectomy was performed in several organs in 152 patients.

RESULTS

Performed surgical interventions in more than 70% of cases had a favorable outcome.

CONCLUSION

The choice of rational surgical tactics for combined echinococcosis should be based on an individual approach, taking into account the general condition of the patient, risk analysis and the likelihood of complications.

Investigation of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and dogs in Pakistan by detection of copro-DNA

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, a heteroxenous parasite belonging to Cestoda class. AE is currently considered an important public health issue, but epidemiological and notably molecular data from several endemic countries, including Pakistan, are sparse. Here we report the first detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in wildlife from Pakistan after real-time PCR and sequencing confirmation in the faecal samples of three foxes from northern Kaghan and Siran regions. The occurrence is estimated at 4.4% (95% CI 0.9-12.4). In order to go further in the epidemiological investigations on E. multilocularis and due to the potential presence of other Echinococcus species, we suggest the need for further epidemiological surveys targeting E. multilocularis and E. granulosus sensu lato isolates from humans and intermediate hosts as well as definitive hosts from wildlife in Pakistan.