Survival of hydatid cysts after puncturing

The release of antigens from hydatid cysts, essential for the induction of a detectable host antibody response, is considered to depend on alterations in the physical integrity of the cyst germinal membrane. This explanation, however, does not account for the detection of serologic responses in persons harbouring hyaline cysts unless it were possible for membrane microfissures to arise and provide an antigenic stimulus without adversely affecting cyst viability. The results of the present study have demonstrated that hydatid cysts are able to survive when experimentally punctured in vitro or in vivo. These findings on the capacity of hyaline cysts to repair or recuperate from a microfissure are consistent with the detection of antibody responses in persons harbouring hyaline hydatid cysts with apparently intact membranes and with the hypothesis of an association between integrity of cyst membranes and degree of host immunological responses.