Abstract
Background: Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a global health concern. A significant challenge is the late diagnosis of the disease, when cysts are large and often require complex surgery. The efficacy of conservative drug treatment for small, early-stage cysts needs further investigation using validated animal models. Aim: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a rabbit model for observing preliminary serological and histopathological changes following experimental E. granulosus infection and albendazole (ABZ) treatment. Methods: Twenty-one rabbits were inoculated with protoscolices. They were divided into three groups: an early-treatment group (ABZ from day 30-58 post-infection), a late-treatment group (ABZ from day 60-88), and an infected-untreated control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to monitor IgG antibody dynamics. Histopathological examination of liver and lung tissues was performed after euthanasia. Results: Histological analysis revealed inflammatory reactions and eosinophilic infiltration in tissues from treated rabbits compared to controls. ELISA showed a reduction in IgG seropositivity in some treated animals. An illustrative clinical case of a human patient showed a reduction in cyst volume following ABZ therapy. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the rabbit model can demonstrate preliminary host-parasite interactions and treatment responses. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of the results. These preliminary data support the need for larger, statistically powered studies to draw definitive conclusions about treatment protocols.