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Parasitic infections in humans and animals
Research Guide
What is Parasitic infections in humans and animals?
Parasitic infections in humans and animals refer to zoonotic diseases primarily caused by larval stages of tapeworms in the genus Echinococcus, encompassing cystic echinococcosis from E. granulosus, alveolar echinococcosis from E. multilocularis, and related forms with significant biological, epidemiological, and clinical impacts.
The field includes 64,653 works on echinococcosis, a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus metacestodes that affects both humans and animals worldwide. Cystic echinococcosis results from E. granulosus, alveolar echinococcosis from E. multilocularis, and polycystic forms from other species, as detailed in "Biological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Aspects of Echinococcosis, a Zoonosis of Increasing Concern" (Eckert and Deplazes, 2004). Research covers diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, genetics, and public health effects, with key advances summarized in expert consensus guidelines.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Echinococcosis Epidemiology
This sub-topic maps global prevalence, transmission dynamics, and risk factors of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans and animals. Researchers use GIS and serological surveys for surveillance.
Echinococcus Genetics and Phylogeny
Genetic studies sequence mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to delineate Echinococcus species, strains, and host adaptation. Researchers apply phylogenomics to trace evolutionary origins.
Diagnosis of Echinococcosis
Research advances imaging (MRI, ultrasound), serology, and PCR for early detection of hydatid cysts and alveolar lesions. Studies validate biomarkers for differential diagnosis.
Treatment of Echinococcosis
Clinical trials evaluate albendazole, praziquantel, PAIR procedures, and surgery for cyst management. Researchers assess long-term efficacy and resistance emergence.
Echinococcosis Immunology and Vaccines
Immunological research dissects host-parasite interactions, cytokine responses, and eg95 vaccine efficacy in livestock. Studies explore adjuvants for human applications.
Why It Matters
Echinococcosis imposes substantial public health burdens, particularly in western China, the highest endemic area for both cystic and alveolar forms, as noted in "Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century" (Wen et al., 2019). "Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans" (Brunetti et al., 2009) updated WHO-IWGE recommendations, influencing global treatment practices after more than a decade since the prior revision and incorporating advances in classification. In humans, these infections manifest as cystic or alveolar liver and lung lesions requiring surgery, chemotherapy like albendazole, or PAIR procedures, while animals serve as definitive or intermediate hosts in transmission cycles, affecting livestock industries and necessitating control programs.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Biological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Aspects of Echinococcosis, a Zoonosis of Increasing Concern" (Eckert and Deplazes, 2004) provides a foundational summary of causes, life cycles, and clinical features, making it ideal for initial reading with 1924 citations.
Key Papers Explained
"The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics" (McMahon, 1986) covers chemotherapy fundamentals for parasitic diseases (2224 citations). "Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans" (Brunetti et al., 2009) builds on this with clinical guidelines (2090 citations). "Biological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Aspects of Echinococcosis, a Zoonosis of Increasing Concern" (Eckert and Deplazes, 2004) offers biological context (1924 citations), while "Genetic variants within the genus Echinococcus identified by mitochondrial DNA sequencing" (Bowles et al., 1992) adds genetic insights (1186 citations), and "Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century" (Wen et al., 2019) synthesizes 21st-century progress (1124 citations).
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Focus on genetic epidemiology via mitochondrial sequencing as in Bowles et al. (1992) and global mapping in Deplazes et al. (2017). Recent emphasis remains on endemic control in western China per Wen et al. (2019), with no new preprints noted.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics | 1986 | American Journal of Tr... | 2.2K | ✕ |
| 2 | Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and... | 2009 | Acta Tropica | 2.1K | ✓ |
| 3 | Biological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Aspects of Echinococ... | 2004 | Clinical Microbiology ... | 1.9K | ✓ |
| 4 | Genetic variants within the genus Echinococcus identified by m... | 1992 | Molecular and Biochemi... | 1.2K | ✕ |
| 5 | Echinococcosis: a review | 2008 | International Journal ... | 1.2K | ✓ |
| 6 | Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century | 2019 | Clinical Microbiology ... | 1.1K | ✕ |
| 7 | Zoonotic Potential and Molecular Epidemiology of<i>Giardia</i>... | 2011 | Clinical Microbiology ... | 1.1K | ✓ |
| 8 | Global Distribution of Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis | 2017 | Advances in Parasitolo... | 1.0K | ✕ |
| 9 | Axenic culture of Giardia lamblia in TYI-S-33 medium supplemen... | 1983 | Transactions of the Ro... | 985 | ✕ |
| 10 | Echinococcosis | 2003 | The Lancet | 982 | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes echinococcosis in humans?
Echinococcosis in humans arises from infection by larval stages (metacestodes) of cestodes in the genus Echinococcus. Cystic echinococcosis is caused by E. granulosus, alveolar echinococcosis by E. multilocularis, and polycystic forms by other species. Definitive hosts are carnivores like dogs and foxes, with intermediate hosts including sheep, cattle, and humans.
How is cystic and alveolar echinococcosis diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis relies on imaging like ultrasound and serology, with treatment involving surgery, percutaneous aspiration, injection, and re-aspiration (PAIR), or chemotherapy with benzimidazoles such as albendazole. "Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans" (Brunetti et al., 2009) provides standardized guidelines based on WHO-IWGE classifications. Advances since 2009 include refined staging for better outcomes.
What is the global distribution of echinococcosis?
Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis occur worldwide, with hyperendemic regions in parts of Eurasia, Africa, and South America. "Global Distribution of Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis" (Deplazes et al., 2017) maps prevalence, highlighting pastoral communities and wildlife cycles. Western China shows the highest endemicity for both forms.
What genetic methods identify Echinococcus variants?
Mitochondrial DNA sequencing distinguishes genetic variants within the genus Echinococcus. "Genetic variants within the genus Echinococcus identified by mitochondrial DNA sequencing" (Bowles et al., 1992) established this approach for taxonomy and epidemiology. It reveals strain-specific host adaptations and zoonotic potentials.
What role does Giardia play in zoonotic parasitic infections?
Giardia species cause giardiasis, a zoonotic disease transmitted between humans and animals. "Zoonotic Potential and Molecular Epidemiology of Giardia Species and Giardiasis" (Feng and Xiao, 2011) confirms host adaptation at genotype level despite zoonotic transmission. Molecular tools assess taxonomy and spread.
What are current advances in echinococcosis research?
Advances include refined chemotherapy and molecular epidemiology. "Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century" (Wen et al., 2019) reviews progress in both cystic and alveolar forms, emphasizing endemic hotspots. Chemotherapy coverage expanded in Goodman and Gilman's edition by Webster.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can genetic variants of Echinococcus influence disease severity and host range across global regions?
- ? What molecular markers best predict zoonotic transmission dynamics of Echinococcus from wildlife to humans?
- ? Which combination therapies optimize outcomes for inoperable alveolar echinococcosis cases?
- ? How do environmental changes affect the distribution of Echinococcus intermediate hosts?
- ? What diagnostic improvements are needed for early detection of polycystic echinococcosis?
Recent Trends
The field encompasses 64,653 works, with high citation classics like Brunetti et al. (2009, 2090 citations) and Eckert and Deplazes (2004, 1924 citations) dominating.
No growth rate data or recent preprints/news available, indicating stable focus on established topics like treatment consensus and genetics from papers such as Wen et al. .
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