title: Role of chemotherapeutic agents in the management of cystic echinococcosis.
abstract: Hydatid disease is caused by infection with the metacestode stage of Echinococcus tapeworms of the family Taeniidae. The primary carriers are dogs and wolves, and humans are accidental hosts that do not contribute to the normal life cycle of this organism. The liver is the most commonly involved organ in the body by cystic echinococcosis (CE) secondary to infection with Echinococcus granulosus . Management options for CE should depend on the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic classification. Small (<5 cm) WHO stage CE1 and CE3a cysts may be primarily treated with benzimidazoles; the first-choice drug is albendazole. In some situations the combination of albendazole and praziquantel may be preferred. Chemotherapy with a benzimidazole or albendazole plus praziquantel is also used as adjunctive treatment to surgery and percutaneous treatment. Drug treatments have been the indispensable therapeutic modalities for cystic echinococcosis.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Kecioren Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nazligul
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kucukazman
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akbulut
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus; D006801:Humans; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011223:Praziquantel; C031000:benzimidazole; D015766:Albendazole
keywords: Albendazole; Cystic echinococcosis; Drug treatment; Mebendazole; Praziquantel