Samimi Alhan, Rosander Ashley M, Kadell Lindsay, Wornom Christina, Brooks Benjamin D
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ivins, USA.
Department of Research, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ivins, USA.
Cureus. 2025 Mar 31;17(3):e81524. doi: 10.7759/cureus.81524. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a rare parasitic infection characterized by a mass effect within organs depending upon the site of the cyst, with the liver being the most common. Its presentation is usually chronic and may remain asymptomatic for many years. The infection typically presents in patients who live in endemic areas, sheep farmers, or those who work with sheep herding dogs. This presentation in a 26-year-old female living in Salt Lake City, Utah, is rare. This case report serves to highlight a rare presentation of an echinococcal infection in a 26-year-old female who suffered from severe upper gastrointestinal pain, persistent cough, nausea, and vomiting. Diagnostic tests revealed a 13 cm cyst located in her spleen. After confirming the diagnosis via ELISA and Western blot, the cyst tested positive for . Despite the potential for cyst rupture and subsequent severe anaphylactic reaction necessitating emergent care, the limited incidence of echinococcal infections within the United States rendered this case a medical enigma with an uncertain diagnosis. This case emphasizes the critical role of biostatistics in diagnosing diseases with low incidence rates.
囊性棘球蚴病（CE）是一种罕见的寄生虫感染，其特征是根据囊肿的位置在器官内产生占位效应，其中肝脏是最常见的受累器官。其临床表现通常为慢性，可能多年无症状。该感染通常发生在生活在流行地区的患者、养羊农民或与牧羊犬接触的人群中。在犹他州盐湖城的一名26岁女性中出现这种情况很罕见。本病例报告旨在突出一名26岁女性棘球蚴感染的罕见表现，该女性患有严重的上腹部疼痛、持续性咳嗽、恶心和呕吐。诊断检查发现一个13厘米的囊肿位于她的脾脏。通过酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）和蛋白质印迹法确诊后，囊肿检测呈阳性。尽管囊肿有破裂及随后发生严重过敏反应而需要紧急治疗的风险，但在美国棘球蚴感染的发病率较低，使得该病例成为一个诊断不明的医学谜团。本病例强调了生物统计学在诊断低发病率疾病中的关键作用。
