Alveolar Echinococcosis in a Patient with Presumed Autoimmune Hepatitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: An Unexpected Finding after Liver Transplantation

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is an important reason for liver transplantation. Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and presents characteristic calcified conglomerates detected by ultrasound or computed tomography scan of the liver. Symptoms of AE only occur after a long period of infection when cholestasis or cholangitis becomes apparent. Here, we report on a patient with presumed autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. After liver transplantation, alveolar echinococcosis was diagnosed in the liver explant.

Automated summary

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a significant cause of liver transplantation. Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, can be detected by ultrasound or CT scan of the liver showing characteristic calcified conglomerates. Symptoms of alveolar echinococcosis occur after a long period of infection, accompanied by cholestasis or cholangitis. This report presents a case of presumed autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis in a patient, and post-transplantation diagnosis revealed alveolar echinococcosis in the explanted liver.