Unusual, gigantic cystic echinococcosis in a woman living with HIV.

Abstract

IntroductionCystic echinococcosis, or hydatidosis, is a parasite infection that can occur in humans. It can affect all organs, mostly the liver and the lungs. The number, size and evolution of those cysts is mediated by the immune system. Herein we report an unusual presentation of hydatidosis in an immunocompromised woman who lives with HIV.Case presentationOur patient was a 40-year-old female with a 2-decade history of HIV and echinococcal infection. She was in AIDS stage due to poor medical adherence. She presented a medullar toxicity to Albendazole, a medication she had been taking for years to control the echinococcal cysts, which were stable then. Upon stopping the Albendazole, she presented an enlargement of those cysts. Surgery was mandatory, and revealed five liver cysts, a 12cm-large kidney cyst, and a gigantic 20 cm-large retroperitoneal cyst. They were treated successfully, and the patient has been asymptomatic during the last 4 years since surgery, along with maintained HIV suppression.ConclusionHydatidosis can be negatively affected by immunosuppression such as HIV infection. However, the scarcity of the cases studying this association makes it difficult to fully grasp the possible interactions between those two diseases.