Histopathological assessment of the viability of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

• DOI: 10.1111/his.15280
• Publication Date: 2024-07-24T09:00:53Z
• Authors: Selina Robers; Michael Reinehr; Lillemor Haibach; Eva Furrer; Annina Cincera; Philipp Andreas K...; Ramon Marc Eichen...; Peter Deplazes; Ansgar Deibel; Beat Müllhaupt; Achim Weber
• Keywords: Cystic echinococcosis; Albendazole; Echinococcus multilocularis; Histopathology; Viability assay; Haematoxylin

Aims Infections by the larval stage of tape worms Echinococcus multilocularis and granulosus s.l . are potentially fatal zoonoses affecting humans as dead‐end hosts. Histopathological evaluation hepatic echinococcosis is an integral part patient management, including distinction between alveolar (AE) cystic (CE), which associated with different disease courses treatments. To improve histopathological assessment lesions, we aimed to develop robust criteria evaluate their viability decay. Methods results Histomorphological for determining parasitic based on morphology parasite structures stages decay were defined a clinically molecularly cohort comprising 138 specimens from 112 patients (59 AE 53 CE); 618 lesions assessed comparing haematoxylin eosin (H&E) staining mAbEm18 mAbEm2G11 immunostaining. Moreover, was systematically mapped in cross‐sections five additional lesions. Protoscoleces CE displayed variable states degeneration. Albendazole had no significant effect structures. Viability revealed high agreement H&E mAbEm18, but not staining, suggesting reliable assessment. central–peripheral gradient across decayed located more towards lesion centre while most viable peripherally. Conclusions corroborated provide simple tool assess knowledge valuable decision‐making further treatment.