Human alveolar echinococcosis: consequences of discontinuation of albendazole treatment - a report of two cases.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a rare and life-threatening parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. Nonspecific symptoms along with a lowered awareness of the disease among physicians often result in delayed diagnoses and subsequently limiting therapeutic options. Treatment of AE includes surgical resection with wide margins of healthy tissue combined with pharmacotherapy and close monitoring for recurrence. This paper presents two cases of patients who interrupted albendazole therapy administered after surgical removal of parasitic lesions. Both cases demonstrate that discontinuing albendazole therapy after non-radical echinococcal removal can lead to disease progression and life-threatening complications. Additionally, the report highlights socioeconomic challenges such as therapy accessibility, treatment costs, and patient education which can influence adherence to medical recommendations and treatment outcomes.