[Retrospective study of the distribution and the fertility of hydatid cysts in the child in Tunisia].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Our aim was to study the distribution and the fertility of the hydatid cysts in function of the age and the sex of patients and to identify the strain(s) responsible(s) of the children hydatidosis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We have analyzed a total of 241 cysts coming from 195 children aged 2 to 16 years operated in the CHU F. Bourguiba of Monastir during the period from November 1999 to December 2009. For each cyst, the localization and the fertility of the métacestode as well as age, sex and origin of the patient are listed. Identification of strains was carried out by PCR/RFLP and has targeted the ribosomal gene ITS1.

RESULTS

The lung was the primary localization of cyst (61.8%) followed by the liver (34.85%). The greatest number of cases is observed in the age groups 4-9 years (138 cases) where children's infection is more frequent in the male than in the female sex. The fertility of the cyst was independent of its site or its size and no incidence of age of children was detected. The G1 sheep strain is responsible for the contamination of children.

CONCLUSION

The cystic echinococcosis described as a young adult disease may actually observed at any age and remains a serious problem of public health in Tunisia.