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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2014; 20(5): 1377-1378
Published online Feb 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i5.1377
Pericyst: The outermost layer of hydatid cyst
Samad EJ Golzari, Mohsen Sokouti
Samad EJ Golzari, Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Mohsen Sokouti, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51666-14756, Iran
Author contributions: Sokouti M wrote the paper; Golzari SEJ wrote and revised the paper.
Correspondence to: Mohsen Sokouti, MD, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, University Main St, Tabriz 51666-14756, Iran. sokouti.mohsen@yahoo.com
Telephone: +98-914-1151894 Fax: +98-411-5566183
Received: August 8, 2013
Revised: September 15, 2013
Accepted: October 17, 2013
Published online: February 7, 2014
Processing time: 196 Days and 0.4 Hours
Abstract

Hydatid disease, caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, mostly affects the liver and the lungs with hydatid cysts which consist of three layers: (1) the outer pericyst; (2) the middle laminated membrane; and (3) the inner germinal layer. Pericyst, as the outermost layer of the hydatid cyst, is made by host cells encasing the hydatid cyst. An extremely close interaction exists between this host tissue and the parasite, and any degenerative changes of the pericyst would result in hydatid cyst degeneration or rupture. The pericyst plays an undeniably important role in the development and survival of the hydatid cyst.

Keywords: Hydatid disease; Echinococcus granulosus; Hydatid cyst; Pericyst; Layer

Core tip: Hydatid cysts consist of three layers: inner, outer and pericyst layers. An extremely close interaction exists between this host tissue and the parasite and any degenerative changes of the pericyst would result in hydatid cyst degeneration or rupture. The pericyst plays an undeniably important role in the development and survival of the hydatid cyst.