Related Experiment Videos
Echinococcal disease in Alberta, Canada: more than a calcified opacity
Ali Somily1, Joan L Robinson, Lilly J Miedzinski
1Department of Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, Canada. asomily@ualberta.ca
BMC Infectious Diseases
|May 21, 2005
Summary
Echinococcal disease (ED) in Canada, particularly northern Alberta, presents diversely. This study found ED generally has a good prognosis with various treatments, despite varied clinical presentations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Canadian echinococcal disease (ED) often linked to sylvatic Echinococcus granulosus, potentially less severe than other forms.
- Limited contemporary data exists on the clinical course and outcomes of Canadian ED patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of echinococcal disease (ED) in Canadian patients.
- To analyze the diversity of presentations and therapeutic interventions for ED in northern Alberta.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients hospitalized with echinococcal disease (ED) between 1991 and 2001 in Edmonton, Alberta.
- Analysis focused on 22 definite and probable ED cases.
Main Results:
- Forty-two cases of ED were identified; 22 were definite or probable.
- Hepatic (50%) and pulmonary (40%) involvement were most common; diverse presentations included intracardiac and splenic cysts.
- Treatments varied, including surgery, aspiration, and medical therapy; no mortality was directly attributed to ED.
Conclusions:
- Echinococcal disease in northern Alberta exhibits a wide range of clinical manifestations.
- Despite varied presentations and treatments, ED generally carries a favorable prognosis in this Canadian population.