- Journal
- PARASITES & VECTORS
- Année
- 2025
- Volume
- 18
- Numéro
- 1
- Article
- 465
- Mois
- NOV 17
- DOI
- 10.1186/s13071-025-07095-1
Abstract
In a prospective study of 15 patients with liver alveolar echinococcosis who underwent curative surgery, a strategy to reduce the recommended 2-year postoperative albendazole (ABZ) regimen was evaluated. Guided by negative positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results at 1 year, ABZ was safely discontinued earlier (median 14 months) in 10 patients, with no recurrence observed during the mean 47 months of follow-up, indicating that postoperative ABZ may be safely shortened with careful imaging follow-up. Interestingly, a retrospective analysis of the rEm18AB antibody index showed that a negative index was not required for ABZ withdrawal, although a declining trend supported the decision.