Etude biologique et diagnostic du kyste hydatique pulmonaire lobaire gauche: aspects cliniques et thérapeutiques.

Abstract

Pulmonary hydatid cyst is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus. This disease remains a public health problem in several regions of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean basin and especially in Algeria, where sheep farming facilitates the transmission of the parasite. Humans are an accidental intermediate host, becoming infected primarily through the ingestion of parasitic eggs from infected dogs. The lung is the second most common site of hydatid disease after the liver. Pulmonary hydatid cysts are characterized by growth that is often slow but facilitated by the elasticity of lung tissue, allowing the cyst to reach a significant size before the onset of clinical signs. The most frequent symptoms are cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and sometimes hemoptysis. In some cases, rupture of the cyst can lead to serious complications such as secondary infection, parasitic dissemination, or anaphylactic reaction. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, biological, and radiological data. Chest radiography and, especially, computed tomography (CT scan) play a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis and assessing complications. Serological tests, particularly ELISA and Western blot, also help guide the diagnosis. Therapeutic management is primarily based on surgical treatment, considered the gold standard, sometimes combined with medical treatment using albendazole. Percutaneous treatment (PAIR) remains underutilized for pulmonary infections due to the risk of complications. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prevention, particularly through veterinary control and improved hygiene measures, to reduce the incidence of this parasitic disease and its complications.