Alveolar echinococcosis in the canton of Geneva between 2010 and 2021: a descriptive analysis

Article Article scientifique Article Alveolar echinococcosis in the canton of Geneva between 2010 and 2021: a descriptive analysis eng 2025-02-04 2025-02-04 author Ollagnon Manon Alexia Itsandra Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 855959 author Bresson Hadni Solange Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 134717 author Spahr Laurent François Joséph Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 33759 Département de médecine (DEMED) author Rubbia-Brandt Laura Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 31809 Département de pathologie et immunologie (PATIM) author Toso Christian 0000-0003-1652-4522 Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Visceral Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 92271 Département de chirurgie (CHIRU) author Chappuis François Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 34709 Département de santé et médecine communautaire (MECOM) 3863 10.57187/s.3863 39977361 1424-3997 https://smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/3863 Background: Alveolar echinococcosis is a rare but potentially severe parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, endemic in many countries in the northern hemisphere, including Switzerland. While the liver is most commonly affected, other organs can also be involved either by contiguity or haematogenous spread. To date, there is no epidemiological or clinical data on alveolar echinococcosis in the canton of Geneva. Objectives: To describe the demographic, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of alveolar echinococcosis in the canton of Geneva between 2010 and 2021. Methods: An investigation was conducted among physicians from Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the private sector likely to encounter patients diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis between 2010 and 2021. All patients being treated in the canton of Geneva were included. After obtaining their consent, an epidemiological questionnaire was completed by patients, and a clinical questionnaire by their referring physicians. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical data were entered into REDCap, then extracted and analysed. Results: Of a total of 27 patients diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis, 25 were included in the study; one patient did not provide his consent and one patient could not be contacted. The annual incidence of alveolar echinococcosis in the canton of Geneva was calculated at 0.24 cases per 100,000 inhabitants based on the subset (n = 14) domiciled in Geneva. The vast majority of patients (n = 24; 96%) were followed at HUG. The median age of patients was 55 years (range: 17-79) with a slight predominance of women (56%). Reported risk factors for alveolar echinococcosis included owning a vegetable garden (70.8%), often unfenced, practicing composting (69.6%), and owning a dog (58.3%) or a cat (58.3%). Four patients (16%) had an immunosuppressive condition. Only 52% of patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The liver was affected in most cases (n = 24; 96%), but one patient had a primary splenic location. Surgical resection for curative purposes was performed in 13 patients (52%). All patients received parasitostatic treatment with albendazole, discontinued in 5 patients (20%) due to drug-induced hepatitis. Three patients died (12%), of which two directly related to alveolar echinococcosis. Conclusion: Alveolar echinococcosis, a rare but severe disease, is endemic in the canton of Geneva. The establishment of mandatory reporting of this disease in Switzerland would allow monitoring of its epidemiological evolution. Primary and secondary prevention measures, currently non-existent, could potentially lower the incidence and severity of the disease. Humans Switzerland / epidemiology Male Female Middle Aged Echinococcosis / epidemiology Adult Animals Incidence Echinococcus multilocularis Aged Echinococcosis, Hepatic / epidemiology Echinococcosis, Hepatic / therapy Albendazole / therapeutic use Adolescent Young Adult Dewey 613 Dewey 616.07 Dewey 616 Dewey 617 137 Département de pathologie et immunologie 21F 64 Département de santé et médecine communautaires 22A 56 Département de médecine 221 57 Département de chirurgie 222 false 391 Métastases du foie 657 562 Transplantation et hépatologie 905 Swiss medical weekly 155 597dc5b4-f0aa-4511-b603-55839ccb45e6 Article (Published version) Public article.pdf 3120547 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 0d696e7c5186a583aea51d511d0a93719653c58dfead004705c3eb03e4708b7c openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine fondamentale / Département de pathologie et immunologie Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de santé et médecine communautaires Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de médecine Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de chirurgie

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Alveolar echinococcosis in the canton of Geneva between 2010 and 2021: a descriptive analysis	Swiss medical weekly			2025	69	233

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Ollagnon, Manon Alexia Itsandra