Dataset Information

Prevalence and risk factors for echinococcal infection in a rural area of northern Chile: a household-based cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of human and canine echinococcosis as well as the associated risk factors in a rural area of the Limarí province in northern Chile.

Methodology/principal findings

A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and November 2009 using a stratified sampling design in each of the five districts of the province. In the selected villages, up to 10 households were sampled. Serum and fecal samples from an adult family member and a dog were collected from each participating household. Risk factors were assessed by standardized questionnaires. Seroprevalence was assessed using a multi-step approach: an ELISA for screening, IFA, IHA and western blot for confirmation of results, respectively. The prevalence of echinococcal infection in dogs was determined by coproantigen genus specific ELISA. Chi-square, Fisher tests and logistic regressions were used to assess risk factors for human seropositivity and dog copropositivity. A seroprevalence of 2.6% (10/403) and coproprevalence of 28% (26/93) was recorded for humans and dogs respectively. Contact with dogs and dog feces were risk factors for human seropositivity while dog copropositivity was associated with home slaughter of livestock (OR?=?3.35; CI 90%: 1.16-6.85) and households de-worming dogs (OR?=?2.82; CI 90%: 1.33-8.43).

Conclusions/significance

Echinococcal infection of humans and their dogs is common in Limarí province. Risk factors for human seropositivity were related to contact with domestic dogs and their feces, whereas those for dogs were home slaughter of livestock and the practice of de-worming dogs.

SUBMITTER: Acosta-Jamett G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4148223 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Prevalence and risk factors for echinococcal infection in a rural area of northern Chile: a household-based cross-sectional study.

Acosta-Jamett Gerardo G Weitzel Thomas T Boufana Belgees B Adones Claudia C Bahamonde Andrea A Abarca Katia K Craig Philip S PS Reiter-Owona Ingrid I

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20140828 8

<h4>Background</h4>Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of human and canine echinococcosis as well as the associated risk factors in a rural area of the Limarí province in northern Chile.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and November 2009 using a stratified sampling design in each of the five districts of the province. In the selected vil ...[more]

PMID: 25167140

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Project description:BackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is a neglected and underdiagnosed parasitic zoonosis that has a significant socioeconomic impact on rural communities relying on livestock farming. CE is endemic across Latin America, including Chile, where the Coquimbo region exhibits a relatively high record of hospital-based human cases and infected animals. However, the incidence of hospitalized CE cases may underestimate the real burden of infection in a population, since the majority of cases never reach medical attention or official disease records.Methodology/principal findingsIn 2019, a cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted with the objectives of estimating for the first time the prevalence of human abdominal CE using abdominal ultrasound (US) screening in volunteers residing in urban and rural localities of the Monte Patria municipality located in Limarí province, Coquimbo region, Chile, and identifying the risk factors associated with human infection. Pre-screening activities included a 16-h lecture/hands-on training aimed at rural physicians that focused on the diagnosis of CE by US, based on current WHO recommendations. A total of 2,439 (~8% of municipality inhabitants) people from thirteen target localities were screened by abdominal US in June-July 2019. We found an overall CE prevalence of 1.6% (95% CI 1.1-2.2) with a significantly higher likelihood of infection in rural localities, older age classes and people drinking non-potable water; 84.6% of infected volunteers were newly diagnosed with CE. Cysts were either in active or inactive stages in equal proportions; active cysts were detected in all age classes, while 95.7% of inactive cysts occurred in >40 years-old subjects.Conclusions/significanceThis is the first US survey aimed at detecting human infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus s.l. in Chile. Our findings indicate a high CE prevalence in the area, and contribute to define the demographic and behavioral risk factors promoting the transmission of the parasitic infection within target communities. Our results support the implementation of cost-effective strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and control of CE, and the need to improve the epidemiological surveillance system in Chile.

Dataset Information

Prevalence and risk factors for echinococcal infection in a rural area of northern Chile: a household-based cross-sectional study.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions/significance

Publications

Prevalence and risk factors for echinococcal infection in a rural area of northern Chile: a household-based cross-sectional study.

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