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[Current therapeutic aspects of echinococcosis]
K Ziegler1, H Kaben, W Schlisio
1Abteilung für Tropenmedizin und Infektionskrankheiten, Bereiches Medizin, Wilhelm-Pieck-Universität Rostock.
Zeitschrift Fur Die Gesamte Innere Medizin Und Ihre Grenzgebiete
|August 15, 1987
Summary
A 63-year-old woman with liver echinococcosis developed lung cysts. Conservative mebendazole treatment led to lung cyst involution but did not affect liver cysts.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Medical Imaging
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus.
- Hepatic echinococcosis can lead to secondary parasitic infections in other organs, such as the lungs.
- Calcified cysts may indicate a long-standing infection.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old female presented with multiple, calcified lung cysts, a consequence of a liver echinococcus cyst infection from 20 years prior.
- The lung cysts were incidentally discovered during diagnostic procedures.
- The patient's liver echinococcosis was deemed inoperable.
Findings:
- Conservative treatment with mebendazole (2000 mg/day for 4 months) resulted in significant involution of the lung cysts.
- The patient's general condition improved notably during the one-year follow-up.
- Mebendazole treatment did not influence the existing liver cysts.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for echinococcus remained strongly positive throughout the follow-up period.
Implications:
- Mebendazole can be an effective conservative treatment for pulmonary echinococcosis, particularly in cases where surgical intervention is not feasible.
- The study highlights the potential for delayed presentation and secondary organ involvement in echinococcosis.
- Persistent positive ELISA results warrant further investigation into long-term parasitic activity or immune response.