Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Diagnosis currently relies on imaging, serology and microscopy, but microscopy is time-consuming, has limited sensitivity and cannot distinguish between Echinococcus species. Molecular methods such as PCR may therefore provide a faster, more sensitive and species-specific diagnostic approach, with both clinical and epidemiological value. This study aims to improve molecular diagnosis and knowledge of pulmonary echinococcosis.
Suspected diagnosis of echinococcosis
Patients requiring surgery to remove cysts
Patients aged 6 years or over
Signature of informed consent
Patients who are candidates for surgery for other reasons
Participants with suspected pulmonary echinococcosis who require surgery at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the SS Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo University Hospital in Alessandria will be enrolled in the study
Other
Prospective
Collection of biological samples from echinococcosis patients for the development of a home-based PCR protocol for diagnostic use.
Other interventionCollection of series of biological samples from patients with echinococcosis for the development and optimisation of a home-made PCR protocol for diagnostic use; this will serve as a resource for research, becoming an important tool for the study of this zoonosis in conjunction with the clinical, microbiological and family history data of the affected individual.
Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use
Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use, aimed at detecting genetic material of parasitic origin in lesions or biopsy specimens caused by Echinococcus spp.
Costs associated to hospitalization
Analysis of the costs associated to hospitalization
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