From Parasite to Patient: A Systematic Review of Advances and Persistent Challenges in Diagnosing and Managing Hydatid Cyst Disease Caused by Echinococcus Species (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED Hydatid disease, caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus species, remains a significant yet underprioritized global health challenge, particularly in low-resource endemic regions. This systematic review synthesizes recent advances and persistent challenges in the diagnosis, management, and control of hydatid cyst disease, drawing on evidence from the past five years. Despite progress in diagnostic imaging, such as MRI diffusion-weighted imaging and recombinant antigen-based serology, and minimally invasive therapies like PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration), substantial gaps remain. Diagnostic tools are often inaccessible in rural areas, and therapeutic strategies lack standardization, particularly for alveolar echinococcosis and high-risk populations such as children and immunocompromised individuals. Climate change and socioeconomic factors continue to drive disease transmission, with E. multilocularis expanding into new regions. Control efforts, while successful in some areas through integrated One Health approaches, face barriers including underfunded veterinary infrastructure and vaccine hesitancy. This review highlights the need for decentralized diagnostic technologies, standardized treatment protocols, and climate-resilient control programs. Future research must prioritize underrepresented populations and cost-effectiveness analyses to mitigate the global burden of hydatid disease.