microRNA-125b-5p is a promising novel plasma biomarker for alveolar echinococcosis in patients from the southern province of Qinghai

BACKGROUND: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by parasitic infection by Echinococcus multilocularis. Its diagnosis is usually based on clinical symptoms, ultrasound, and other imaging methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in disease processes and can exist in a highly stable cell-free form in body fluids. It is important to identify specific, sensitive diagnostic markers for early diagnosis and evaluation of AE. In this study, we examined hsa-miR-125b-5p as a potential plasma biomarker of E. multilocularis infection. METHODS: Plasma samples from patients with AE and healthy individuals were screened for the presence of five miRNAs using miRNA chips. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure miRNA expression levels in plasma and liver tissue samples from patients with AE. RESULTS: hsa-miR-125b-5p was stably upregulated in the plasma and liver tissue samples from patients with AE. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that hsa-miR-125b-5p may be a promising biomarker for early, non-invasive diagnosis of AE.