Autochthonous human case of Echinococcus ortleppi cystic echinococcosis in Brittany, Western part of France

TL;DR

A rare case of human cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus ortleppi is reported in France, highlighting the need for molecular methods in diagnosis.

Contribution

The report presents the 20th global and first autochthonous French case of E. ortleppi CE without typical risk factors.

Findings

Echinococcus ortleppi is a rare cause of human cystic echinococcosis.

CE can occur in non-endemic areas and without traditional risk factors.

Molecular methods are crucial for accurate identification of Echinococcus species.

Abstract

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide infection due to the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, a taeniid tapeworm of canids. Identification of the causative agent at species level relies on molecular methods such as DNA sequencing or species-specific qPCR, which are rarely used for routine case management. Among the different species within the E. granulosus complex, Echinococcus ortleppi (E. granulosus genotype G5 former “cattle strain”) has been reported in only 19 human cases worldwide, including 3 in France. We report the 20th case of E. ortleppi cystic echinococcosis, which is an French autochthonous case of a patient without usual risk factors for CE, and living in an area not known to be endemic for E. ortleppi. This case highlights that medical community should be aware of the benefits from molecular epidemiology in understanding the landscape of parasitic diseases.

•Echinococcus ortleppi is a rare species within the E. granulosus species complex.•Cystic echinococcosis (CE) remains endemic in countries with very low prevalence.•CE can be acquired in the absence of traditional risk factors.•Improved clinical, epidemiological and molecular documentation of CE is needed.

Echinococcus ortleppi is a rare species within the E. granulosus species complex.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) remains endemic in countries with very low prevalence.

CE can be acquired in the absence of traditional risk factors.

Improved clinical, epidemiological and molecular documentation of CE is needed.

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