Therapy of alveococcosis in man

Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects are interpreted on the basis of two cases of Echinococcus alveolaris. Both patients had undergone partial hepatectomy and were subsequently treated chemotherapeutically. In one case dehydroemetine and mebendazole (Vermox, Janssen), and in the other case metrifonate (Bilarcil, Bayer A.G.) were used. The diagnosis of alveococcosis of the liver was demonstrated in one case histologically on the occasion of appendectomy, and in the other case by the indirect immunofluorescence test and passive haemagglutination. In case of suspected alveococcosis these serological are imperative, as they are the most reliable methods of demonstrating this disease. The latest trend in theraphy aims at a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Mebendazole seems to be promising as an anthelmintic agent for the treatment of alveococcosis. Remission of the disease was obtained in either case.