The natural history of cystic echinococcosis in untreated and albendazole-treated patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO) treatment protocols for cystic echinococcosis (CE) are based on the standardized ultrasound (US) classification. This study examined whether the classification reflected the natural history of CE in untreated and albendazole-treated patients. Data were collected during mass US screenings in CE endemic regions among transhumant populations, the Turkana and Berber peoples of Kenya and Morocco. Cysts were classified using the WHO classification. Patient records occurring prior to treatment, and after albendazole administration, were selected. 852 paired before/after observations of 360 cysts from 257 patients were analyzed. A McNemar-Bowker χ2test for symmetry was significant (p<0.0001). 744 observations (87.3%) maintained the same class, and 101 (11.9%) progressed, consistent with the classification. Regression to CE3B occurred in seven of 116 CE4 cyst observations (6.0%). A McNemar-Bowker χ2test of 1414 paired before/after observations of 288 cysts from 157 albendazole-treated patients was significant (p<0.0001). 1236 observations (87.4%) maintained the same class, and 149 (10.5%) progressed, consistent with the classification. Regression to CE3B occurred in 29 of 206 CE4 observations (14.1%). Significant asymmetry confirms the WHO classification's applicability to the natural history of CE and albendazole-induced changes. Regressions may reflect the stability of CE3B cysts.
Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation, Grenada; St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada. Electronic address: nsolomon12@gmail.com.
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Solomon
Western University of Health Sciences, United States. Electronic address: mkachani@westernu.edu.
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Kachani
Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya. Electronic address: zeana07@gmail.com.
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Zeyhle
Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation, Grenada; St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada; St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine, Grenada. Electronic address: cmacpherson@sgu.edu.
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Macpherson
D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole
Albendazole; Classification; Cystic echinococcosis; Natural history; Parasitology; Ultrasound