Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i>, is a serious parasitic disease that presents significant health risks and challenges for both patients and healthcare systems. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for effec...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/5/585 |
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| author | Huanhuan Liu Yijia Xie Xiaoyu An Dazhuang Xu Shundong Cai Chengchao Chu Gang Liu |
| author_facet | Huanhuan Liu Yijia Xie Xiaoyu An Dazhuang Xu Shundong Cai Chengchao Chu Gang Liu |
| author_sort | Huanhuan Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i>, is a serious parasitic disease that presents significant health risks and challenges for both patients and healthcare systems. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for effective management and improved patient outcomes. This review summarizes the latest diagnostic methods for AE, focusing on serological tests and imaging techniques such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Each imaging modality has its strengths and limitations in detecting and characterizing AE lesions, such as their location, size, and invasiveness. US is often the first-line method due to its non-invasiveness and cost-effectiveness, but it may have limitations in assessing complex lesions. CT provides detailed anatomical information and is particularly useful for assessing bone involvement and calcification. MRI, with its excellent soft tissue contrast, is superior for delineating the extent of AE lesions and their relationship to adjacent structures. PET/CT combines functional and morphological imaging to provide insights into the metabolic activity of lesions, which is valuable for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted diagnostic approach that combines serological and imaging techniques for accurate and early AE diagnosis, which is crucial for effective management and improved patient outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dc492820fc234622a945be088b5e78cd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-dc492820fc234622a945be088b5e78cd2025-08-20T02:05:24ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-02-0115558510.3390/diagnostics15050585Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar EchinococcosisHuanhuan Liu0Yijia Xie1Xiaoyu An2Dazhuang Xu3Shundong Cai4Chengchao Chu5Gang Liu6State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Molecular Theranostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Molecular Theranostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Molecular Theranostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Molecular Theranostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Molecular Theranostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaXiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, Fujian Engineering Research Center of Molecular Theranostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaAlveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i>, is a serious parasitic disease that presents significant health risks and challenges for both patients and healthcare systems. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for effective management and improved patient outcomes. This review summarizes the latest diagnostic methods for AE, focusing on serological tests and imaging techniques such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Each imaging modality has its strengths and limitations in detecting and characterizing AE lesions, such as their location, size, and invasiveness. US is often the first-line method due to its non-invasiveness and cost-effectiveness, but it may have limitations in assessing complex lesions. CT provides detailed anatomical information and is particularly useful for assessing bone involvement and calcification. MRI, with its excellent soft tissue contrast, is superior for delineating the extent of AE lesions and their relationship to adjacent structures. PET/CT combines functional and morphological imaging to provide insights into the metabolic activity of lesions, which is valuable for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted diagnostic approach that combines serological and imaging techniques for accurate and early AE diagnosis, which is crucial for effective management and improved patient outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/5/585<i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i>alveolar echinococcosisparasitediagnostic techniques |
| spellingShingle | Huanhuan Liu Yijia Xie Xiaoyu An Dazhuang Xu Shundong Cai Chengchao Chu Gang Liu Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis Diagnostics <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i> alveolar echinococcosis parasite diagnostic techniques |
| title | Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis |
| title_full | Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis |
| title_fullStr | Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis |
| title_short | Advances in Novel Diagnostic Techniques for Alveolar Echinococcosis |
| title_sort | advances in novel diagnostic techniques for alveolar echinococcosis |
| topic | <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i> alveolar echinococcosis parasite diagnostic techniques |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/5/585 |
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