Journal of Genetic Syndromes & Gene Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: ISSN: 2157-7412
ISSN: ISSN: 2157-7412
Robert Rosolanka and Katarina Simekova
Comenius University, Slovak Republic
Martin University Hospital, Slovak Republic
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Genet Syndr Gene Ther
Alveolar echinococcosis or alveococcosis is severe life-threatening taeniasis caused by the larvae of Echinococcus multilocularis. E. multilocularis is common worldwide, but unusual and not reportable in United States until 2017. On the other hand European countries especially Slovakia is endemic for the appearance of E. multilocularis occurrence. Parasite can be transmitted from wild or domestic carnivores to humans, where humans act as the aberrant (accidental) hosts. Alveococcosis is a tissue parasitosis with primary hepatic localization (90-95%), but in some cases the disease may spread to other organs, most commonly to the lungs or brain. Lung or brain metastases are also known as secondary form of echinococcosis, which is very rare. The formation of distant metastases is due to haematogenous or lymphogenous dissemination, but also per continuitatem to adjacent organs. The clinical picture is commonly atypical. Nearly 100% of patients are asymptomatic at the early stage of the disease. After several years of infection unspecific symptoms may occur. The most typical are pressure or pain sensations in the abdomen especially in right upper region. In the case of lung involvement symptoms are even more uncommon. Large lesions can present with chest pain caused by compression of surrounding tissues or haemoptysis. Authors present rare case of alveolar echinococcosis complicated by secondary formation of pulmonary lesions.
Robert Roso�?¾anka is a Medical Doctor working for Department of Infectology and Travel Medicine at University Hospital in Martin, Slovak Republic. He also participates in research activities and projects for Jessenius Faculty of Medicine.