ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS ANTIGEN

Echinococcus granulosus antigen is derived from bovine hydatid cyst as sterile filtered cyst fluid. It has been manufactured for use in immunoassay development and other research applications.

PRODUCT DETAILS – ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS ANTIGEN

• Echinococcus granulosus antigen extracted from bovine hydatid cyst as sterile filtered cyst fluid.
• Presented in 100 mM glycine buffer, pH 9.5. May contain additional bovine serum albumin as stabilizer.
• For immunoassay development or other applications.

BACKGROUND

Human echinococcosis is a globally distributed parasitic zoonotic disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The two most important forms of human disease are cystic echinococcosis (hydatidosis) and alveolar echinococcosis. Individuals are infected through ingestion of parasite eggs in contaminated food, water or soil, or after direct contact with animal hosts. Carnivores act as definitive hosts for the parasite, and carry the mature tapeworm in their intestine, which is obtained from ingesting the larval stage during consumption of the viscera of intermediate hosts. Different herbivorous and omnivorous animals act as intermediate hosts of Echinococcus. Humans are accidental intermediate hosts and they cannot transmit the infection to the definitive host (CDC, 2019; WHO, 2020).

Human infection with E. granulosus leads to the development of one or more hydatid cysts, usually in the liver and lungs, and less frequently in the bones, kidneys, spleen, muscles and central nervous system. The asymptomatic incubation period of the disease can last many years until hydatid cysts grow to an extent that triggers clinical signs. Alveolar echinococcosis is characterized by an asymptomatic incubation period of 5–15 years and the slow development of a primary tumour-like lesion which is usually located in the liver. If left untreated, alveolar echinococcosis is progressive and fatal. Both cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis are often expensive and complicated to treat, sometimes requiring extensive surgery and/or prolonged drug therapy, representing a substantial disease burden. Preventive measures generally include, deworming dogs, slaughterhouse hygiene, and public education (CDC, 2019; WHO, 2020).

REFERENCES

• Parasites – Echinococcosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2019.
• Echinococcosis fact sheet. World Health organisation (WHO), 2020.