Hydatid Disease Over the Last 5 Years: Experiences from a Tertiary Care Center in India

Hydatid disease, caused by the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus, remains a significant public health issue, especially in regions where livestock farming is prevalent. This retrospective study, conducted in the microbiology department of a tertiary care center in North India, is designed to assess the epidemiological trends of hydatid disease over the past 5 years in a tertiary care hospital, focusing on incidence, demographic patterns, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic improvements. During the study period, 843 patients were tested for Echinococcus IgG antibodies. Among them, 400 cases were confirmed positive and 443 were negative for Echinococcus IgG antibodies. Data were retrieved from the hospital's information system, focusing on ELISA results for Echinococcus IgG antibodies. Demographic variables, such as age, sex, and clinical and histopathological parameters, were recorded for the patients. Of 400 positive cases, 54% were male, and 46% were female, with a mean age of 45 years. The highest incidence was found in the 31- to 40-year-old age group. Biochemical analysis revealed significant differences between the positive and negative groups across all parameters (P <0.01). Of 60 patients, the liver was the most predominant organ involved (in 53.3% of cases), followed by the lungs (in 26.7% of cases), and then the spleen and gallbladder (in 6.7% of cases each). Less common sites included the retroperitoneal organs, heart, and renal organs (1.7% of cases each). This study underscores the importance of early detection and heightened clinical suspicion, as well as the value of serological testing in diagnosing and managing this parasitic infection.