An observational study in Echinococcosis, sponsored by Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria. Recruiting at 1 site in Italy. Open to participants aged 6 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-20.
Sponsored by Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria · Observational
Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Diagnosis currently relies on imaging, serology and microscopy, but microscopy is time-consuming, has limited sensitivity and cannot distinguish between Echinococcus species. Molecular methods such as PCR may therefore provide a faster, more sensitive and species-specific diagnostic approach, with both clinical and epidemiological value. This study aims to improve molecular diagnosis and knowledge of pulmonary echinococcosis.
Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Current diagnosis mainly relies on imaging, serology and microscopy. However, microscopy may have limited sensitivity and cannot reliably distinguish between species.
The primary aim of this study is to collect biological samples and develop an in-house PCR diagnostic protocol.
The PCR will detect parasitic genetic material and differentiate among four Echinococcus species, and the molecular results will be compared with conventional serology and microscopy. Whole-genome sequencing will also be used for species characterisation.
In synthesis, the study aims to improve molecular diagnosis and knowledge of pulmonary echinococcosis.
25 studies on the registry are indexed under Echinococcosis; 4 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 120 is above the median of 45 across 18 observational studies indexed under Echinococcosis.
Browse Echinococcosis studies →Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria is the lead sponsor of 37 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Participants with suspected pulmonary echinococcosis who require surgery at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the SS Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo University Hospital in Alessandria will be enrolled in the study
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Collection of series of biological samples from patients with echinococcosis for the development and optimisation of a home-made PCR protocol for diagnostic use; this will serve as a resource for research, becoming an important tool for the study of this zoonosis in conjunction with the clinical, microbiological and family history data of the affected individual.
Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use
Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use, aimed at detecting genetic material of parasitic origin in lesions or biopsy specimens caused by Echinococcus spp.
Time frame: Through study completion, expected to last 20 years
Costs associated to hospitalization
Analysis of the costs associated to hospitalization
Time frame: Through study completion, expected to last 20 years
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Aug 2024 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Aug 2034, 120 months after the start.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria