[Should cystic echinococcosis be investigated in patients having high eosinophil counts?]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus is one of the important health problems in Turkey and in the world. In this study, whether or not the presence of CE in patients with a high eosinophil count should be determined was investigated. A total of 946 specimens from patients with a high eosinophil count (>or=350/mm3) were evaluated. The age of patients ranged from 1-94 years. Of the patients, 392 (41.4%) were male and 554 (58.6%), female. The specific antibody response in the specimens was determined by ELISA and IHA. Specific antibody response was detected in five sera of 946 (0.53%) patients with ELISA and IHA. The patients, with an antibody response, were evaluated further with liver ultrasonography and chest X-ray. One patient, in which an antibody response was detected, had a history of renal cell carcinoma surgery. In one patient (0.11%), CE was detected in the liver and the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery. No CE was found in the other three patients. In conclusion, eosinophilia is not a sufficient indicator for CE alone and this parasite should be sought in patients with clinical and radiological signs.