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Abdominal Cystic Echinococcosis Treated with Albendazole. A Pediatric Cohort Study
Samanta Moroni1, Guillermo Moscatelli1, Facundo García Bournissen1
1Parasitology and Chagas Service, Buenos Aires Children Hospital Ricardo Gutiérrez, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Albendazole treatment for pediatric cystic echinococcosis in Argentina is safe and effective. This approach shows positive effects on abdominal cysts, potentially reducing the need for surgery in children.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacotherapy
Background:
- Cystic echinococcosis is a significant public health concern in Argentina, particularly affecting pediatric populations.
- Standard treatment involves albendazole, but optimal pediatric therapeutic strategies remain unclear, with limited data on albendazole efficacy in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic response to albendazole in pediatric patients diagnosed with abdominal cystic echinococcosis.
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of albendazole as a primary treatment in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 28 pediatric patients (0-18 years) with abdominal cystic echinococcosis diagnosed via ultrasound was studied.
- Patients received albendazole (10-15 mg/kg/day), with treatment response assessed by ultrasound follow-up using the WHO-IWGE classification.
- Epidemiological data, cyst characteristics, and treatment outcomes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Albendazole treatment (mean duration 142.5 days) demonstrated a positive effect on most abdominal cysts (46 cysts total).
- The treatment was well-tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events reported.
- Surgery was ultimately required for 13 patients, suggesting albendazole may reduce surgical necessity.
Conclusions:
- Albendazole is a safe and effective treatment option for uncomplicated pediatric cystic echinococcosis.
- Pharmacological treatment with albendazole can potentially decrease the requirement for surgical intervention in pediatric cases.
Introduction:
Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Argentina. The standard pharmacological treatment for the disease is albendazole, but surgery is a common alternative. Even though primary infection occurs mainly in the pediatric population, the optimal therapeutic option in pediatrics is not clearly defined and few pediatric cohorts with cystic echinococcosis treated with albendazole have been described to date.
Objective:
To describe therapeutic response to albendazole in a cohort of pediatric patients with abdominal cystic echinococcosis.
Population And Methods:
Patients (0-18 years old) with abdominal cystic echinococcosis who were treated with albendazole between January 1998 and August 2013. Diagnosis of abdominal cystic echinococcosis was made by ultrasound. All patients received albendazole, 10-15 mg/kg/day. Epidemiological data, symptoms, number, location and outcome of the cysts, serology and treatment received were analyzed. The parameter used to assess treatment response was cyst changes evaluated by ultrasound follow up using the WHO-IWGE classification.
Results:
A total of 28 patients (with 46 abdominal cysts) were included in the cohort. Mean age at enrolment was 9.4 years and mean duration of follow-up, 23.8 months. All patients resided in rural areas and had had contact with dogs. The asymptomatic form of the disease was the most common presentation. All patients received albendazole (mean duration: 142.5 days), with low incidence of adverse events. Albendazole had a positive effect on most of the cysts. Surgery was performed in 13 patients.
Conclusion:
Treatment with albendazole for uncomplicated cystic echinococcosis cysts is safe and effective, and can potentially reduce the need for surgical intervention.
