Echinococcus Antibodies, Serum

Echinococcosis is caused by larvae of two species of tapeworms, Echinococcus granulosus (cystic echinococcosis) and Echinococcus multilocularis (alveolar echinococcosis). Humans can develop the disease when they ingest eggs excreted with the faeces of the final hosts (dogs and foxes). E. granulosus larvae then grow as large cysts with internal budding of brood capsules. The E. multilocularis larvae develop by external budding to form an infiltrative growing tumour. In most cases, the liver is the primary organ affected whatever the parasite species.

The detection of Echinococcus antibodies is diagnostic of hydatosis (hydatid cyst). Surgical removal of the parasitic tissue is the most efficient therapy for the disease and the efficiency of antiparasitic drugs depends upon the size of the larvae.

1 ml Serum Frozen

Negative: < 1/160 Titre Equivocal: 1/160 Titre Positive: > 1/320 Titre