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Improving the accuracy of serological diagnosis of hydatid cyst disease - Policy paper summary
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Mohsen Arbabi *    , Amin Moradi Hassan Abad , Abolfazl Masoumi Koushk Mehdi , Yasaman Zare |
| , arbabi4.mohsen@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: (44 Views) |
Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis of significant medical and economic importance in Iran, affecting both humans and livestock. The disease causes the loss of approximately 1 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).Ultrasonography remains the primary method for diagnosing and staging hepatic hydatid cysts. However, serological assays can provide valuable complementary information, particularly for confirming early infections, detecting inactive cysts, and identifying small or encapsulated lesions that may be difficult to characterize through imaging alone. Diagnostic accuracy is hindered by several persistent challenges, including the widespread use of crude antigens, stage-dependent variability in test sensitivity, the lack of standardized stage-specific diagnostic algorithms, and limited availability of rapid, point-of-care tests. This review aims to outline evidence-based strategies to enhance serological diagnostic capacity for CE. It emphasizes the development of high-specificity recombinant antigens, the establishment of standardized testing protocols, the creation of cyst-stage-adapted diagnostic algorithms, and the integration of rapid diagnostic tools into the primary health- care system.
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| Keywords: Hydatid cyst, diagnostic accuracy, serology, ultrasound, challenges |
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Type of Study: Policy Brief |
Subject:
medicine, paraclinic
Received: 2025/11/23 | Revised: 2026/02/2 | Accepted: 2025/12/29
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