Comparative study of nitric oxide (NO) production during human hydatidosis: relationship with cystic fluid fertility

Abstract

Human hydatidosis is characterized by a prolonged coexistence of Echinococcus granulosus and its host without effective rejection of the parasite. This parasitic infection constitutes a major health problem in Algeria. In this study, we investigated in vivo production of nitrite (NO2 − + NO3 −) in sera of Algerian patients carrying different cyst locations. Nitrite (NO2 − + NO3 −) levels were evaluated by the Griess method. Our results indicated that the levels of nitrite were significantly higher in the sera of hydatic patients than those of healthy controls supporting the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in antihydatic action. The levels of nitrite in sera of the patients with hepatic hydatidosis were significantly higher than those with pulmonary infection. The lower serum (NO2 − + NO3 −) levels were observed in the relapsing cases. In addition, (NO2 − + NO3 …