Retrospective Evaluation of the Incidence of Cystic Echinococcosis in Humans Between 2012-2023 in Pakistan.

Objective: Present study aimed to determine the demographic, epidemiological and pathological features of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) cases using patients' hospital based clinical history from 2012-2023.

Methods: The current retrospective study was conducted from June-December and aimed to investigate the incidence of human CE in Pakistan. A total of 74 surgically confirmed patients' data was retrieved from the hospital records. All epidemiological, radiological, histopathological and treatment characteristics of the patients were recorded.

Results: The results showed that the highest number of CE cases were recorded in 2019 (15/74, 20.2%), followed by 2018 (11/74, 14.8%). In age categories, the highest frequency of CE cases was recorded in the age group 11-20 (19/74, 25.7%), followed by 31-40 (18/74, 24.3%), 41-50, and 51-60 (9/74, 12.1%), respectively. Gender-wise findings showed that females were more infected (46/74, 62.2%) as compared to males (28/74, 37.83%). Among reported cases, most infected organs were liver (24/74, 32.4%) and the lungs (14/74, 18.9%), followed by the bone, bladder, and abdominal cavity (3/74, 4.1%), kidney, chest (2/74, 2.7%), while and others. Surgery was performed after echinococcal cyst detection by diagnostic imaging methods such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound. All patients received albendazole anthelminthic medication after their surgical procedures.

Conclusion: The present research reveals that CE is persistently endemic in Pakistan. Lack of knowledge and dedicated work on behalf of public healthcare and veterinarians to control CE pose a challenge in Pakistan. A lot of research and strong management programs are required to combat the disease.