Cystic Echinococcosis in Children: High Frequency of Multiple Organs Involved in the North of Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Echinococcosis, as an important zoonotic infection, has a major worldwide distribution. Pediatric echinococcosis has still become health concerning issue in developing countries, particularly, in the Middle East and Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the human echinococcosis in children in northern Iran. Methods:: Patients admitted to the pediatric subspecialty hospital of Amir Kala, Babol, Iran, from 2011 to 2016 with a confirmed diagnosis of echinococcosis, were reviewed. Records of the patients, including demographic data, clinical manifestations of the disease, type of cysts, and other related factors, were collected. Results: Sixteen pediatric patients, twelve (75%) male, and four (25%) female were evaluated. All cases had cystic echinococcosis. The results showed that fever (75%) following vomiting, nausea, and coughing (44%) were the most common clinical manifestations. The most common localizations of cases were determined as liver (n=10, 62.5%) and lung (n=9, 56%). The frequency of the involvement of more than one organ was 31% (5 cases). The co-occurrence of liver and lung was seen in 2 (12.5%) cases, and in one case, the co-occurrence of the liver and spleen was reported. In one case, lung, liver and, the pelvis was involved, while in another case, liver, sub diaphragm and kidney involvement were observed. Conclusion: Cystic echinococcosis should be kept in mind when a cystic lesion is encountered anywhere in the body, particularly, in patients lining in the endemic regions. Since cystic echinococcosis has a considerable economic impact in Iran, the implementation of a control program and the surveillance system are highly recommended to reduce the economic burden of this disease.