Echinococcosis
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Current diagnosis mainly relies on imaging, serology and microscopy. However, microscopy may have limited sensitivity and cannot reliably distinguish between species. The primary aim of this study is to collect biological samples and develop an in-house PCR diagnostic protocol. The PCR will detect parasitic genetic material and differentiate among four Echinococcus species, and the molecular results will be compared with conventional serology and microscopy. Whole-genome sequencing will also be used for species characterisation. In synthesis, the study aims to improve molecular diagnosis and knowledge of pulmonary echinococcosis.
Interventions
OTHERCollection of biological samples from echinococcosis patients for the development of a home-based PCR protocol for diagnostic use.
Collection 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.
Sponsors
Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Suspected diagnosis of echinococcosis * Patients requiring surgery to remove cysts * Patients aged 6 years or over * Signature of informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Patients who are candidates for surgery for other reasons
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use | Through study completion, expected to last 20 years | 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. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Costs associated to hospitalization | Through study completion, expected to last 20 years | Analysis of the costs associated to hospitalization |
Countries
Italy
Contacts
CONTACTClinical Trial Center
Outcome results
None listed