IL-17A and CICs as Markers of Inflammatory Response in Hydatid Disease: Implications for Diagnosis and Post-surgical Monitoring

Abstract

Background: Hydatid disease continues to affect large populations as a major health problem, specifically within endemic areas due to Echinococcus granulosus infection. The disease activates immune complexes (CICs) together with different types of cytokines, while IL-17A functions as an essential component for inflammation. The investigation of IL-17A function together with CICs behavior in hydatid disease serves to develop better diagnostic methods and postoperative assessment tools.
Aim of the study: To investigate the assay value of IL-17A and CICs among hydatid disease patients before and after surgery to assess their usefulness for diagnosis and treatment assessment.
Materials and methods: Three groups of patients participated in the case-control study, divided into surgically treated patients with hydatid disease, patients who did not undergo surgery, and control groups. IL-17A and CICs measurements were performed by ELISA, while cyst confirmation was done by MRI.
Results: The measurement of IL-17A showed non-operated patients maintained much higher levels at 1,011.77 ± 317.78 Pg/ml than both operated patients, who had 411.37 ± 46.46 Pg/ml, and healthy controls, who maintained 161.51 ± 23.71 Pg/ml. The analysis revealed that non-operated patients presented with elevated CICs amounts (15.61 ± 3.32 μg/mL) compared to operated patients (7.73 ± 0.79 μg/mL) as well as controls (3.27 ± 1.00 μg/mL). The diagnostic evaluation through ROC analysis showed outstanding performance by measuring IL-17A and CICs with an equal 1.000 AUC for both markers.
Conclusion: IL-17A and CICs are considered diagnostic indicators for hydatid disease and postoperative patient monitoring. Active hydatid infections reveal high marker levels, which reduce after surgical intervention and support their clinical importance.