Related Experiment Videos
Echinococcal disease and mycobacterial infection
M E Ellis1, W Sinner, M Asraf Ali
1King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Echinococcal disease can mask or coexist with mycobacterial infections. Consider mycobacterial disease in patients with echinococcosis who don't improve with standard treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Echinococcal disease, caused by tapeworms, presents unique clinical challenges.
- Co-infections can complicate diagnosis and treatment of parasitic diseases.
Observation:
- Five patients with co-existing echinococcal and mycobacterial infections were analyzed.
- Mycobacterial infections were localized within or near hydatid cysts.
- Identified mycobacteria included Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. fortuitum-chelonae, and M. gordonae.
Findings:
- Hydatid cysts may provide a supportive environment for mycobacterial survival.
- Clinically significant mycobacterial disease occurred in three patients.
- Secondary mycobacterial infections were noted in two patients.
Implications:
- Mycobacterial infection should be suspected in echinococcosis patients with persistent symptoms.
- This highlights the importance of considering co-infections in immunocompromised or complex cases.
- Integrated diagnostic and treatment strategies are crucial for managing these dual infections.