Usefulness of PCR analysis for diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis with unusual localizations: two case studies

J Clin Microbiol. 2004 Dec;42(12):5954-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.42.12.5954-5956.2004.

Abstract

The report presents two cases where diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis was confirmed by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus PCR. The extrahepatic osseous involvement and the absence of initial hepatic involvement are unusual in both cases. Due to limitations of serological interpretation, PCR was useful to diagnose atypical echinococcosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Helminth / analysis
  • Echinococcosis / diagnosis*
  • Echinococcosis / parasitology
  • Echinococcus granulosus / genetics
  • Echinococcus granulosus / isolation & purification*
  • Echinococcus multilocularis / genetics
  • Echinococcus multilocularis / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Spondylitis / parasitology*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / parasitology*

Substances

  • DNA, Helminth