Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis. 

Echinococcus multilocularis leads to the formation of multicameral lesions with the ability to germinate into adjacent tissues. Echinococcus granulosus (diagnosed in OLYMP CDL) forms single-chamber cavities (cysts), mainly in the liver and lungs. 

Diagnosis of the disease presents certain difficulties. The cysts formed by the parasite are clearly visible during X-ray analysis. However, such cysts are typical for many diseases. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a cyst puncture: a puncture of the skin and organ is made with a thin needle, and a cyst particle is taken. With the help of a microscope, a laboratory technician gives a conclusion about the nature of the pathological formation. 

There is one "BUT"! When performing such manipulation, there is a high risk that when the cyst is punctured, the parasites along with the needle will further spread along the insertion of the instrument, which can significantly worsen the disease. 

There is an alternative diagnostic method: detection of IgG antibodies to echinococcus. The test relates to the serological diagnosis of parasitic infections. The material to be examined is blood, in which antibodies to the pathogen (echinococcus) are detected. 

Antibodies are components of the body's immune system that are produced to destroy a particular foreign protein-antigen. In this case, the antigen is echinococcus. There are several types of antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. Each of these antibodies has its own function and its own period of occurrence. IgG is produced 15-20 days after echinococcus enters the body and can persist in the blood for a long time. 

This method gives a positive result in 90% of cases of hepatic echinococcosis and in 70-80% of cases of the pulmonary form. The least informative value is in echinococcosis of nervous, muscular, and bone tissue. After surgical removal of the cyst, antibody detection helps to monitor the effectiveness of treatment: 2-3 months after surgery, IgG levels should decrease significantly. If it does not decrease, then this indicates a recurrence of the disease. In exceptional cases, IgG can persist for years.