Echinococcus granulosus | antibody IgG

General Information

Echinococcus granulosa is a microscopic parasitic worm that lives in the intestines of dogs, foxes, wolves, and some other animals. It is the causative agent of human echinococcosis.

The parasite is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, through contaminated hands. Man is its intermediate host.

The final host of the mature parasite is a dog or other animals, along with whose faeces the parasite eggs are released into the environment.

After entering the human gastrointestinal system, the germs in the oncosphere of Echinococcus enter the bloodstream and circulate with it. They implant in different organs and form a cyst (bubble-like growth). In the case of granular echinococcus, cysts occur in the liver (50-70%), lungs (25%), rarely in the central nervous system, spleen, kidney, bone marrow, heart.

In most cases, a single cyst (blister) is formed during the initial infection, however, in 20-40% of cases, multiple cysts (in the same organ) develop.

The diagnostics of echinococcosis is complex, it includes the comparison of anamnesis and instrumental-laboratory data. It is often necessary to make a differential diagnostics with a liver abscess, congenital cysts or some malignant processes, for which specific serological tests are used.

The immune response to echinococcosis depends on several factors: the patient's age, cyst location, size and number. In the case of old, closed cysts, the immune response is weak. Rupture of the cyst or violation of the integrity of the wall leads to the stimulation of immune reactions.

Serological tests remain positive even after radical surgery (excision of the cyst) for some time. In case of relapse (repetition) of parasitic infection, the amount of antibodies does not change significantly.

Patient preparation: not required

Study material: Venous blood

Reference norms:

Negative: < 9

Ambiguous: 9 – 11 (retest in 2-4 weeks is recommended)

Positive result: > 11

Research results should be consistent with clinical data. A negative answer does not exclude the presence of echinococcosis. Due to the cross-activity of the antibodies, in case of a positive response, the presence of another parasitic disease is not excluded.