Increased incidence and characteristics of alveolar echinococcosis in patients with immunosuppression-associated conditions

Abstract

Background: An increased incidence of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in patients with immunosuppression (IS) has been observed; our aim was to study this association and its characteristics.

Methods: Fifty AE cases with IS-associated conditions (ISCs) before or at AE diagnosis were collected from the French AE registry (1982-2012, 509 cases). There were 30 cancers, 9 malignant hematological disorders, 14 chronic inflammatory diseases, 5 transplants, and 1 case of AIDS; 9 patients had ≥2 ISCs. Characteristics of the 42 IS/AE cases and the 187 non-IS/AE cases diagnosed during the period 2002-2012 were statistically compared.

Results: There was a significant increase in IS/AE cases over time. Risk factors did not differ between IS/AE and non-IS/AE patients. However, AE was more frequently an incidental finding (78% vs 42%) and was diagnosed at earlier stages (41% vs 23%) in IS/AE than in non-IS/AE patients. Serology was more often negative (14% vs 1%) and treatment efficacy was better (51% regression after 1-year treatment vs 27%) in IS/AE patients. All IS/AE patients but 7 took IS drugs; 7 received biotherapeutic agents. When not concomitant, AE occurred in IS patients within a 48-month median time period. Atypical presentation and abscess-, hemangioma-, and metastasis-like images delayed AE diagnosis in 50% of IS/AE patients, resulting in inappropriate treatment. Liver images obtained for 15 patients 1-5 years before diagnosis showed no AE lesions. Albendazole efficacy was good, but 19 of 48 treated patients experienced side effects.

Conclusions: Patients with immunosuppression are at increased risk for occurrence, delayed diagnosis, and progression of AE.

Keywords: Echinococcus multilocularis; biotherapy; cancer; liver abscess; liver metastases.