Ozge ATIK, Ali CAN, Mehmet Gokturk KABAN
İstanbul Kuzey Klinikleri Dergisi - 2026;13(1):64-71
OBJECTIVE: Hydatid cyst infections may follow a different course, ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening conditions. The rupture of a hydatid cyst can lead to a variety of allergic reactionsfromurticaria to anaphylactic shock. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and diversity of allergic symptoms in patients with hydatid cysts and to explore their relationship between clinical and laboratory findings. METHODS: This study included 106 patients diagnosed with hydatid cysts of the liverbetween January 2017 and February 2024.The demographic characteristics such as age, gender, clinical symptoms and laboratory results were recorded. The characteristics of patients with allergic symptoms were analyzedin addition to cyst rupture. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 33 and 77% were male. Allergic symptoms were present in one out of every ten patients. Allergic symptoms were pruritus in 5 patients, acute urticaria in 2 patients, and anaphylaxis in 3 patients. Only 22% (n=23) of the patients had eosinophilia. The characteristics of ruptured and non-ruptured patients were compared and it was observed that hemoglobin level was lower and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level was higher in ruptured patients (p=0.032, p=0.015 respectively). CONCLUSION: Although allergic symptoms are not very common in hydatid cysts, life-threatening events such as anaphylaxis may still occur. This risk should always be considered, especially in cysts at risk of rupture.
