Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Echinococcus multilocularis Larval Growth in Human Hepatic Tissue Reveals Complex Growth Patterns

Dennis Tappe Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany

Search for other papers by Dennis Tappe in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Stephan Zidowitz Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany

Search for other papers by Stephan Zidowitz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Philipp Demmer Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany

Search for other papers by Philipp Demmer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Peter Kern Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany

Search for other papers by Peter Kern in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Thomas F. E. Barth Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany

Search for other papers by Thomas F. E. Barth in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Matthias Frosch Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany

Search for other papers by Matthias Frosch in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

In this study we present, for the first time, a three-dimensional digital reconstruction of Echinococcus multilocularis larval growth in human tissue. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded hepatic tissues from patients with alveolar echinococcosis were serially sectioned, stained, and areas of larval growth of the parasite were microphotographed. Parasitic structures were reconstructed from multiple digital planes, revealing a root-like network of interconnected vesicles and tubules extending into the periphery of lesions.

Author Notes

*Address correspondence to Dennis Tappe, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Street 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany. E-mail: dtappe@hygiene.uni-wuerzburg.de

Authors' addresses: Dennis Tappe and Matthias Frosch, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, E-mails: dtappe@hygiene.uni-wuerzburg.de and mfrosch@hygiene.uni-wuerzburg.de. Stephan Zidowitz, Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute for Medical Image Computing, Bremen, Germany, E-mail: stephan.zidowitz@mevis.fraunhofer.de. Philipp Demmer, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, E-mail: phdemmer@gmx.de. Peter Kern, Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany, E-mail: peter.kern@uniklinik-ulm.de. Thomas F. E. Barth, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany, E-mail: thomas.barth@uniklinik-ulm.de.

  • 1.

    Rausch RL, Wilson JF, Schantz PM, McMahon BJ, 1987. Spontaneous death of Echinococcus multilocularis: cases diagnosed serologically (by Em2 ELISA) and clinical significance. Am J Trop Med Hyg 36: 576585.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Vogel H, 1978. How does the alveolar echinococcus grow? [in German]. Tropenmed Parasitol 29: 111.

  • 3.

    Rausch R, 1954. Studies on the helminth fauna of Alaska. XX. The histogenesis of the alveolar larva of Echinococcus species. J Infect Dis: 94 178186.

  • 4.

    Vogel H, 1977. On Echinococcus multilocularis in southern Germany II. Development of the larval stages and histopathological reactions in common vole, Microtus arvalis [in German]. Tropenmed Parasitol: 28 409427.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Eckert J, Thompson RC, Mehlhorn H, 1983. Proliferation and metastases formation of larval Echinococcus multilocularis. I. Animal model, macroscopical and histological findings. Z Parasitenkd: 69 737748.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Mehlhorn H, Eckert J, Thompson RC, 1983. Proliferation and metastases formation of larval Echinococcus multilocularis. II. Ultrastructural investigations. Z Parasitenkd: 69 749763.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 347 298 86
Full Text Views 349 10 6
PDF Downloads 78 9 4
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save