Untargeted metabolomics to discriminate liver and lung hydatid cysts: Importance of metabolites involved in the immune response.

The Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species complex is responsible for the neglected zoonotic disease known as cystic echinococcosis (CE). Humans and livestock are infected via fecal-oral transmission. CE remains prevalent in Western China, Central Asia, South America, Eastern Africa, and the Mediterranean. Approximately one million individuals worldwide are affected, influencing veterinary and public health, as well as social and economic matters. The infection causes slow-growing cysts, predominantly in the liver and lungs, but can also develop in other organs. The exact progression of these cysts is uncertain. This study aimed to understand the survival mechanisms of liver and lung CE cysts from cattle by determining their metabolite profiles through metabolomics and multivariate statistical analyses. Non-targeted metabolomic approaches were conducted using quadrupole-time-of-flight liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) to distinguish between liver and lung CE cysts. Data processing to extract the peaks on complex chromatograms was performed using XCMS. PCA and OPLS-DA plots obtained through multiple statistical analyses showed interactions of metabolites within and between groups. Metabolites such as glutathione, prostaglandin, folic acid, and cortisol that cause different immunological reactions have been identified both in liver and lung hydatid cysts, but in different ratios. Considering the differences in the metabolomic profiles of the liver and lung cysts determined in the present study will contribute research to enlighten the nature of the cyst and develop specific therapeutic strategies.

Infected pulmonary hydatid cyst: A challenging diagnosis.

Echinococcosis is a parasitic infection that is distributed worldwide. Its clinical presentation depends on the size and location of the cyst. A 7-year-old was found with a superimposed infected pulmonary hydatid cyst that was initially misdiagnosed as complicated pneumonia. Our case underscores the challenges of diagnosing and managing echinococcosis, emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion, and describes the disease's ability to mimic other clinical entities.

The Impact of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst Rupture on COVID-19 Symptom Severity.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with other microorganisms such as parasites in patients with COVID-19 can affect the clinical outcome and require prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of an adult male with chest pain, dyspnea, cough, diplopia, and anorexia who was confirmed to have acute COVID-19 pneumonia. 2 weeks prior to admission, a hydatid lung cyst was identified on examination, but the patient refused surgery. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a rupture of the lung hydatid cyst and co-infection with COVID-19. The patient has prescribed a treatment protocol for COVID-19 and albendazole. Despite measures taken to manage severe inflammation and decreasing blood oxygen levels, the patient required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and intubation. After approximately 3 weeks of hospitalization, the patient was successfully extubated and discharged uneventfully from the hospital. Oral albendazole was prescribed for follow-up treatment. CONCLUSION: Our case highlights the importance of considering hydatid cysts in the differential diagnosis of patients with COVID-19, especially those living in endemic areas.

Safety of Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy on the Sheep with Pulmonary Cystic Echinococcosis: A Preliminary Study.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy showed the potential to effectively kill the cysts of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis (CE). However, little is known about its safety. This study was designed to investigate the safety of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) on the normal lung tissue adjacent to the cyst and blood of sheep naturally infected with pulmonary CE. METHODS: Twenty pulmonary CE sheep were randomly divided into control group (n = 5) and radiation groups with a dose of 30 Gray (Gy) (n = 5), 45 Gy (n = 5), and 60 Gy (n = 5), respectively. Animals in control group received no radiation. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), tumor growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in the lung tissues adjacent to the cysts, which were considered to be closely related to the pathogenesis of CE, were evaluated after 3D-CRT. A routine blood test was conducted. RESULTS: The results showed that there were multiple cysts of various sizes with protoscoleces in the lung tissues of sheep, and necrotic cysts were found after 3D-CRT. 3D-CRT significantly increased the mRNA level of Hsp70, enhanced the protein level of TGF-ß and slightly increased the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in lung tissues adjacent to the cysts. 3D-CRT did not significantly alter the amount of WBC, HB and PLT in sheep blood. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that 3D-CRT may suppress the inflammation and induce less damage of the normal lung tissues and blood. We preliminarily showed that 3D-CRT under a safe dose may be used to treat pulmonary CE.

The co-infection of pulmonary hydatid cyst, lophomoniasis and tuberculosis in a patient with resistant respiratory symptoms; a case report study.

BACKGROUND: Lophomonas blattarum is a rare protozoan that causes opportunistic infections, and the co-infection of lophomonas with tuberculosis and human hydatidosis is a serious public problem in the co-endemic areas of developing countries. CASE REPORT: We presented a 58-year-old female with fever, losing weight, and cough with whitish-yellow sputum that started one month ago. Increasing inflammatory markers and hypereosinophilia in laboratory tests, and a cavity with thick, regular walls and undulating air-fluid levels measuring 43 × 30, evident in the upper segment of the right lower lobe (RLL), along with consolidation and the ground glass opacity of the upper segment and posterior basal of the RLL is apparent in CT scan were reported. Then, a bronchoscopy was requested, and the BAL specimen reported a negative fungal and bacterial infection in the samples. Several live and oval flagellated lophomonas protozoa, hydatid cyst protoscoleces (the larval forms of the parasites), and M. tuberculosis were observed in microscopic evaluation. The patient was treated with metronidazole, oral albendazole, and a combination of TB regimen. CONCLUSION: Physicians should always consider the possibility of co-infections of lophomonas with tuberculosis and human hydatidosis and investigate patients with risk factors such as immunodeficiency conditions or treated with immunosuppressive medications.

HISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF THE PULMONARY HYDATID CYSTS IN SHEEP INFECTED WITH CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS.

Hydatid cyst (Hydatidosis) is considered one of the parasitic diseases that pose a threat to both animals and humans alike. Objectives: the present study was aimed to investigate cystic echinococcosis in sheep. By employing a variety of specific stains, we sought to uncover the mesmerizing histochemical changes associated with this condition. Twenty lung samples infected with hydatid disease were obtained. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin and processed and then stained with haematoxylin and eosin and some special stains such as Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), Gomri's aldehyde fuschin, Best Carmine, Van Gieson, Toluidine blue and Alcian blue to investigate the histochemical changes that occurred in the lung tissue. Chemical changes were observed in the lung tissue affected by hydatid cysts, revealing insights into the underlying pathological processes. The presence of hydatid cysts was characterized by encapsulation within the lung tissue, consisting of a laminated layer surrounded by a fibrous membrane. Severe pneumonia was evident, accompanied by the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the presence of necrotic cells containing lytic nucleic acids. These changes resulted in atelectasis (partial or complete lung collapse) and emphysema (destruction of alveolar walls). Despite these pathological changes, intact elastic fibers were observed surrounding the bronchiole, indicating preserved structural integrity. Necrosis of epithelial cells in the bronchiole was also observed, disrupting normal respiratory system functioning. The hydatid cyst has a clear effect on the lung tissue, represented by the histochemical changes that certainly cause damage to the lung and this is reflected in its vital function inside the body.

Isolated pulmonary hydatid cyst.

Echinococcosis is primarily a disease of developing nations with poor medical infrastructure, where cohabitation with domesticated animals is common. These conditions, in conjunction with the inherent chronicity of the disease, lead to low rates of diagnosis and high morbidity. Robust surveillance is not readily available in communities with the highest disease burden.WHO classifications assist in diagnostic and treatment endeavours especially in countries where this disease is not commonly encountered. However, the understanding of the pathophysiology of echinococcosis and optimal treatment are still lacking in certain patient populations.We present the case of a female from Central Asia with an isolated pulmonary hydatid cyst. She was diagnosed several months after she had an uncomplicated pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Due to a delay in surgical intervention, our patient received a prolonged course of treatment which resulted in a significant reduction in the size of the cyst. Given her improvement, we questioned the current guidelines set by the WHO regarding surgical resection of pulmonary hydatid cysts, compared with an extended course with albendazole in patients with an unusual and protracted course of the disease. Furthermore, we discuss the possible role of pregnancy in exacerbating symptoms of underlying pulmonary hydatid disease.

Hospital-based retrospective analysis of 224 surgical cases of lung hydatid cyst from southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The lungs are considered the second-most frequent location for hydatid cyst in human. The current retrospective hospital-based study aimed to assess the epidemiological data, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes of lung hydatid cyst in patients who underwent surgery for this disease in Fars province, southern Iran. METHODS: In this retrospective study, hospital records of 224 pulmonary hydatid cyst patients were assessed in two main university-affiliated hospitals in Fars Province, southern Iran. Clinical features of patients, epidemiological data, cyst features, surgical interventions, and treatment outcomes were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 224 hydatid cyst cases of the lung were reviewed. Male patients accounted for the majority of cases (60.4%). The average age of the patients was 31.13 (± 19.6), ranging from 2 to 94 years old. Of the 224 patients, 145 (75.9%) cases had only one single cyst and mostly 110 (53.9%) located in the right lung. Also, 6 (2.9%) cases had cysts in both lungs. The lower lobe of the lungs was the most common location of the hydatid cyst. The average size of lung hydatid cyst was 7.37 cm (SD = 3.86; rang: 2-24) while for the cyst areas was 42.87cm2 (SD = 52.76; range: 2-488). Regarding the surgical method, 86 (38.6%) cases were operated by lung resection surgery while 137 (61.4%) cases had lung preserving one. The chief complaints of the patients were cough (55.4%) and dyspnea (32.6%). Relapse was documented in 25 (11.16%) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Lung hydatid cyst is a common infection in southern Iran. Lung preserving surgery is the method of choice for the management of hydatid cyst. Relapse, which was not uncommon in our study, is a challenging feature of hydatid cyst management.

Pulmonary cystic echinococcosis in a child.

This case report describes the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a 13-year-old boy with pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. The patient presented with low-volume hemoptysis, and lung imaging revealed a large cystic mass, as well as smaller pseudo-nodular lesions, suggesting a large intrathoracic hydatid cyst and ruptured cysts. The diagnosis was confirmed by a positive echinococcosis Western Blot assay, despite equivocal serology. The treatment consisted of surgical removal of the large cyst using thoracoscopy, along with a two-week course of albendazole and praziquantel, followed by albendazole alone for two years. Analysis of the cyst membrane revealed an Echinococcus granulosus protoscolex. The patient had a successful recovery.

An unexpected guest: Pulmonary echinococcosis diagnosed by intraoperative frozen section examination. A case report and literature review.

Echinococcosis is caused by tapeworms belonging to the Echinococcus genus. The most common site of infection is the liver although it may involve almost any organ. Symptoms of pulmonary echinococcosis vary depending on the location and structure of the cyst. While uncomplicated cysts usually appear at imaging as well-defined homogeneous lesions with fluid content and smooth walls of variable thickness, complicated lesions may have a more heterogeneous content with higher density making more difficult the distinction from malignancies or other infections. Hereby we describe the case of a 61-year-old Northern African male admitted to our tertiary center for left upper chest pain who then underwent a chest computed tomography (CT) scan which demonstrated a large hypodense lesion, with smooth and thick walls, in the upper left lobe. The following magnetic resonance confirmed the homogeneous fluid content, and the 18 F- fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT demonstrated a mild uptake of the walls. According to these findings, the main differential diagnoses at imaging included bronchogenic cyst, synovial sarcoma, and pulmonary hematoma although the patient denied any recent trauma. Given the large size and clinical symptoms he underwent surgery. Intra-operative frozen section, supported by imprint cytology, excluded the presence of malignancy while suggested an echinococcal laminar exocyst. The final pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of echinococcosis (i.e., Echinococcus Granulosus protoscolex). After surgery he was treated with albendazole and at the six-month follow-up he was in good clinical conditions. Our case highlights the importance of considering rare infections, particularly in individuals from endemic areas. Frozen tissue analyses can be a diagnostic challenge and often require ancillary tools such as imprint cytology and serial sections for more sensitive and accurate diagnosis.

Basic Operative Tactics for Pulmonary Echinococcosis in the Era of Endostaplers and Energy Devices.

Human echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larvae of the tapeworm species Echinococcus. The liver is the most common location for a primary echinococcosis. However, the parasite may bypass or spread from the liver to the lungs, causing primary or secondary pulmonary echinococcosis, respectively. Pulmonary echinococcosis is a clinically challenging condition in which anthelminthic regiments are important, but surgery has the central role in removing the cysts and preventing recurrences. Surgical treatment may involve cystotomy, enucleation, capitonnage, or atypical resections, which occasionally are in combination with hepatic procedures. The utilization of modern devices is greatly underdescribed in surgery for thoracic infections, even though these facilitate much of the work. Therefore, this article aims to describe pulmonary echinococcosis and the role of modern surgical devices in the treatment process. Furthermore, we report surgical treatment of three different cases of pulmonary echinococcosis. Surgeries of uncomplicated and ruptured hepatic or pulmonary cysts are described. Simple small pulmonary echinococcal lesions can be excised by endostaplers both for diagnostic and curative reasons. Larger cysts can be removed by energy devices unless large bronchial air leaks occur. Complicated cysts require treatment by more extensive techniques. Inexperienced surgeons should not abstain but should carefully decide preoperatively how to proceed.

[Coexistence of pulmonary sarcoma and hydatid cyst]. / Coexistencia de sarcoma pulmonar y quiste hidatídico.

We present the case of a patient who consulted for cough, showing a mass in the lower lobe of the right lung on imaging studies. Bronchoscopy revealed an irregular, whitish endobronchial formation, from which whitish membranes were aspirated. Biopsies were taken from the aspirated material and sent for analysis Based on the cyto and histopathological study, pulmonary hydatid disease coexisting with a sarcoma was diagnosed. In our area, hydatid disease continues to be frequent and its pulmonary location is, together with the hepatic, the two most common forms of presentation. The usual complication is the rupture of the cyst with the eventual seeding and its infection. In this case, the coexistence of hydatid disease with a pulmonary sarcoma was revealed, a fact of which we only know of one report, more than fifty years ago. The publication is motivated by the extremely infrequent nature of this association, highlighting the importance of carrying out histopathological studies even when clinical and imaging suspicion points to hydatid disease.

Se presenta el caso de un paciente que consultó por tos, evidenciándose en los estudios de imagen una masa en el lóbulo inferior del pulmón derecho. En la broncoscopía se observó una formación endobronquial, blanquecina, irregular, de la que se aspiraron membranas blanquecinas; del material aspirado se tomaron biopsias que se enviaron para su análisis. Con el estudio cito e histopatológico se diagnosticó hidatidosis pulmonar coexistente con un sarcoma. En nuestra zona la hidatidosis continúa siendo frecuente y su localización pulmonar es, junto a la hepática, las dos formas de presentación más comunes. La complicación habitual es la rotura del quiste con la eventual siembra y la infección del mismo. En este caso se pone de manifiesto la coexistencia de hidatidosis con un sarcoma pulmonar, hecho del que solo conocemos un informe, reportado hace más de cincuenta años. Motiva la publicación lo extremadamente infrecuente de esta asociación, resaltando la importancia de efectuar estudios histopatológicos aun cuando la sospecha clínica y de las imágenes orienten a la hidatidosis.

Factors increasing mortality in Echinococcosis patients treated percutaneously or surgically. A review of 1,143 patients: a retrospective single center study.

OBJECTIVE: While cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious problem in underdeveloped countries, it also becomes a serious public health problem in developed countries due to recent migration and population movements. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pregnancy, multi-organ involvement, treatment methods, and emergency surgery (unfollowed patients), with mortality in patients with CE who underwent surgical or percutaneous treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, demographic characteristics, pregnancy status, organ involvement, development of relapse and anaphylaxis, need for intensive care and mortality rates of patients with CE treated with percutaneous or surgical methods at Harran University Hospital between January 1997 to January 2022 were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 1,143 patients who underwent surgery or percutaneous treatment for CE, 18 were pregnant. Mortality was found to be significantly higher in pregnant patients with CE (p<0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in those who developed anaphylaxis (p<0.001). In percutaneous treatment, recurrence (p<0.001) and anaphylaxis (p=0.026) were found to be significantly higher. Mortality was found to be three times higher in patients without follow-up who were operated on urgently (p=0.108). CONCLUSIONS: CE is a disease that can occur at any age and can be fatal. Although multi-organ involvement and percutaneous treatment may be associated with recurrence, they do not directly increase mortality. The mortality is high, especially in pregnant women with pulmonary CE. Cardiac involvement, brain involvement and anaphylaxis increase mortality. Mortality is higher in patients without follow-up who are operated on urgently.

Intra thoracic extra pulmonary hydatidosis: prognosis and outcomes of 8 operated patients.

Hydatid cyst disease is a parasitic disease known from the times of hippocrates, and is still endemic in our country Morocco among others, affecting mainly the liver and lungs, while intra thoracic extra pulmonary location remains a rare entity of the disease. In our department of thoracic surgery, Mohamed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco, we operated 92 patients for thoracic hydatid cyst in the period between January 2016 and December 2021, 8 patients of this group had exclusive extra pulmonary location of the hydatid cyst, epidemiological and clinical data were recorded for the 8 patients (5 men, 3 women). The mean age was 40.3 years, all patients presented mainly with chest pain, dyspnea and cough. The locations of the hydatid cysts were chest wall, pericardium, pleural space and diaphragm. The hydatid cysts were removed via extirpation technique through thoracotomy in all patients. The average duration of hospitalization was 7 days. Postoperative complications consisted of atelectasis in one patient, parietal hematoma in another, and surinfection with pleuro-cutaneous fistula and chronic neurological chest pain in one patient. No deaths were noted in our series.

Proteomics investigation of human sera for determination of postoperative indicators of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatidosis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is a major health problem all over the world. Finding specific and sensitive biomarkers for follow-up of CE in patients after surgery is essential. Using proteomics methods, the present study aimed to evaluate post-surgical treatment by finding probable biomarker/s in the serum of human lungs CE. METHODS: A total of 24 human sera were tested. These sera included eight confirmed lung/s CE patients sera before surgery (BS), eight sera 12 months post-surgery (12MPS) as well as eight control sera from healthy people. Proteomics methods including 2DE and LC-MS/MS were performed on the specimens followed by bioinformatics analysis. Differentially expressed proteins (DEP) were detected and, separately integrated with protein-protein interaction (PPI) data to construct the PPI network. RESULTS: A total of 171 protein spots were detected in three groups including BS, 12MPS, and control groups; of which a total of 106 DEP have been expressed based on fold changes > = 2 and p-value < 0.05. More analysis was performed and a total of 10 protein spots were selected for identification by mass spectrometry showing the following proteins: APOA1, BGN, SPP2, EAF1, ACOXL, MRPL55, MCTP2, SEPTIN1, B4GALNT1, and ZNF843. Based on centrality parameters of the PPI network (degree and betweenness) five Hub-bottlenecks proteins with significant centrality values were found including APOA1, BGN, SPP2, EAF1, and ACOXL. CONCLUSION: This study showed five proteins as hub-bottleneck proteins; of which APOA1 was more prominent. It can be concluded that a change in expression of this protein in patients' sera could be used as an indicator tool for the achievement of lungs CE surgical therapy.

Hidatidosis pulmonar: Reporte de casos y preludio endémico de la equinococosis quística humana en Paraguay / Pulmonary hydatidosis: Case report and endemic prelude to human cystic echinococcosis in Paraguay

El Paraguay integra la Iniciativa Sudamericana para el Control y Vigilancia de Equinococosis Quística. Con el fin de optimizar los informes epidemiológicos sobre hidatidosis, presentamostres casos clínicos vistos en centros nacionales y realizamos una revisión de la literatura local sobre el tópico. Desde 1969 hasta la fecha se describen 70casos de equinococosis quística. Se requieren estudios epidemiológicos sistemáticos para evaluar el grado de penetración, la distribución geográfica y las características de transmisión de esta enfermedad en nuestro país.Palabras clave: equinococosis;equinococosispulmonar; equinococosis hepática; equinococcus granulosus; zoonosis.

Paraguay is a member of the South American Initiative for the Control and Surveillance of Cystic Echinococcosis. In order to optimize the epidemiological reports on hydatidosis, we present three clinical cases seen in national centers and we carry out a review of the local literature on the topic. From 1969 to date, 70cases of cystic echinococcosis have been described. Systematic epidemiological studies are required to assess the degree of penetration, geographic distribution, and transmission characteristics of this disease in our country.Key words:echinococcosis;echinococcosispulmonar;echinococcosishepatic;echinococcus granulosus; zoonoses.