Evaluating the activity of liver cystic echinococcosis using the delayed-hypersensitivity skin reaction to common antigens

When 11 patients with active liver cystic echinococcosis were tested with a commercial, delayed-hypersensitivity, skin test (DHST) to seven common antigens (Multitest; Merieux Institute, Lyon) they all reacted less than 30 patients with non-parasitic liver cysts, who had normal reactions. This immunosuppression in cystic echinococcosis was transient, as DHST performed within a few months of treatment were normal. DHST may help in evaluating the activity of Echinococcus granulosus cysts.