Épidémiologie de l’échinococcose kystique chez l’enfant et l’adolescent au CHU de Sétif et évaluation de l’effet scolicide de Myrtus communis L. et d’Atriplex halimus L.

Abstract

In Algeria, cystic echinococcosis is a major public health problem, particularly among pastoral communities. This parasitosis remains endemic throughout the national territory and is becoming increasingly important disease among children and adolescents. Our study is divided into two parts, each aimed to achieve two main objectives. The first part consists of an epidemiological investigation (retrospective and prospective study) carried out between January 2020 and January 2023 on cases of hydatid cysts declared in the mother and child hospital from Setif University hospital center. During this period, 92 cases were recorded, including 74 operated patients. The average age of patients was 9.25 ± 3.42 years with extremes of 3 and 15 years. The number of recorded cases was higher in boys compared to girls (M/F sex ratio=1.79). The frequency of cases originating from rural areas was higher compared to urban areas (75% versus 25%). The majority of cases (80.4%) were in frequent contact with dogs. The localization of cysts was mainly pulmonary in 47.8% of cases. Ultrasound was the most used paraclinical exam for diagnosis (n = 57/92; 62%). Among 115 examined cysts, the fertility rate was 53.04% and did not vary significantly according the localization of cysts as well as the age of the children and adolescents and their gender. All samples were genotyped as Echinococcus. granulosus s.s. G1. During the second part of our study, our main objective was to evaluate the scolicidal activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts from two local plants including Myrtus communis and Atriplex halimus, against protoscoleces of Echinococcus. granulosus. Our results revealed a significant scolicidal activity, mainly for the ethanolic extracts. The phytochemical analysis revealed an increased concentration of total polyphenols in the ethanolic extract of Myrtus communis as compared to the aqueous extract, while contrary results were observed for Atriplex halimus. Regarding flavonoids, the ethanolic extract of Atriplex halimus presented a higher content than the aqueous extract, while contrary results were recorded for Myrtus communis. Furthermore, extracts from both plants demonstrated a strong antioxidant activity in vitro. Further studies are needed to fully understand their mechanism of action and potential safety, as well as to explore their use as antiparasitic alternatives for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis.