Epidemiology and Epizootology of Cystic Echinococcosis in Romania 1862–2007

Abstract

Infections with cestodes from genus Echinococcus are usually acquired by oral ingestion of eggs, direct contact with carriers, and contaminated food (especially vegetables) or water. Echinococcosis, previously characterized as a malady of medical importance only, depends upon veterinary solutions and faces political obstacles; it is considered the most important zoonotic disease in Romania. As a result of the increased number of human and animal cases, Romania was framed in the forefront of the European countries and among the first countries worldwide in 1995. The present paper is the first international systematized review concerning echinococcosis in Romania. It covers a period of 146 years, beginning in 1862, when the first case of human hydatid disease was mentioned in medical annals, until 2007 and aims at overviewing and analyzing data provided by major studies from different fields of human and veterinary medicine. Authors also present unpublished data of a 37-year surveillance performed in a reference infectious disease hospital. During the period 1979-1988, 8557 patients were hospitalized for hydatid disease requiring 210,057 days of health care, and 516 fatalities (6.03%) were registered. The prevalence of the disease in livestock during the period 1983-1994 varied between 24.3% and 92.9% in sheep, 31.2% and 43.6% in cattle, and 20.4% and 73.8% in swine. The economic losses in animals are very high due not only to increased mortality rates but also to weight loss and decreased productivity. Epidemiological data available showed that at least one person from 45.5% of Romanian localities underwent surgery for cystic echinococcosis. The information presented outlines the severity of the situation from human- and livestock-associated cystic echinococcosis in Romania. Control programs based on combinations of animal vaccination, dehelmintization of dogs, and education programs should be implemented to achieve effective prevention of disease transmission.

A molecular survey of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in central-eastern Europe

“…sequences (17 isolates). In the remaining G7 isolates, three different both in humans and animals [11]. Amongst domestic animals, sheep and cattle were primarily infected with E. granulosus s.s. [21,25,27,29].…”

“…Cyst contents were examined under light microscopy for the presence of protoscoleces, which were thereafter rinsed several times in phosphate buffered of the global burden of CE infections, predominantly circulates in Romania and the southern steppe zone of Ukraine associated with sheep-raising regions; whereas E. canadensis G7, which prevails in the three remaining countries, is of minor importance for human health due to low infectivity for humans [8,9]. Particularly in Bulgaria and Romania, socio-economic changes in the 1990s accompanied by a breakdown of veterinary control efforts and administrative irregularities led to a re-emergence of CE [10,11].…”

Epidemiology and history of human parasitic diseases in Romania

“…There were recorded 8123 cases (5.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) during the period 1953-1963. In 1966, the screening of 17,299 agricultural workers using Casoni's intradermal test revealed a positive rate of 13.4% (Gherman et al 1991;Iacobiciu et al 2005;Juvara et al 1958;Lupascu and Panaitescu 1968;Neghina et al 2010d).…”

“…During the same period, 1,036 patients were managed in four thoracic surgery clinics. Of them, 14.2% were children aged 1 to 15 years (Iacobiciu et al 2005;Neghina et al 2010d). …”

“…Two seroepidemiological studies carried out by Iacobiciu identified a positive rate of 56.4% in former patients with hydatid disease who underwent surgery 3 to 4 years before and 11.8% in individuals with infective risk (Iacobiciu 1999;Neghina et al 2010d).…”