Comparison of Biochemical Compounds of Fertile and Infertile Hydatid Cyst Fluid of Animaland Human Origin

Hydatidosis is an important zoonotic disease with widespread distribution. For unknown reasons, some cysts are unable to produce protoscoleces, and little is known about the mechanisms involved in infertile cyst production. Therefore, characterization of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) components could help clarify the host-parasite relationship and the fertility process of cyst. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify biochemical components of HCF of fertile and infertile cysts from different hosts.

A total of 35 HCF samples were obtained from the liver and lung of 16 cattle, 16 sheep and three humans. Fertility of cysts was determined by examination of cysts’ content. Then, total fluid was aspirated aseptically from each cyst. The samples were centrifuged at 10000×g for 15 min at 4°C, and then concentrated and dialyzed against phosphate buffer saline using an Amicon Ultra-15 5000 MWCO centrifugal filter device (Millipore, USA). All biochemical components were quantified by an automatic analyzer.

The value of lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, calcium, cholesterol, glucose, urea and uric acid differed significantly in cysts collected from different hosts (P<0.001). There was also a significant difference in the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and cholesterol between fertile and infertile cysts (P<0.039).

Due to the differences in biochemical composition of HCF of different host origin, it is possible that the host plays a crucial role in determining the type of biochemistry in hydatid cyst as well as in hydatid cyst fertility.