Human and Canine Echinococcosis Infection in Informal, Unlicensed Abattoirs in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus infections are a major public health problem in livestock-raising regions around the world. The life cycle of this tapeworm is sustained between dogs (definitive host, canine echinococcosis), and herbivores (intermediary host, cystic hydatid disease). Humans may also develop cystic hydatid disease. Echinococcosis is endemic in rural areas of Peru; nevertheless, its presence or the extension of the problem in urban areas is basically unknown. Migration into Lima, an 8-million habitant's metropolis, creates peripheral areas where animals brought from endemic areas are slaughtered without veterinary supervision. We identified eight informal, unlicensed abattoirs in a peripheral district of Lima and performed a cross-sectional study in to assess the prevalence of canine echinococcosis, evaluated by coproELISA followed by PCR evaluation and arecoline purge. Eight of 22 dogs (36%) were positive to coproELISA, and four (18%) were confirmed to be infected with E. granulosus tapeworms either by PCR or direct observation (purge). Later evaluation of the human population living in these abattoirs using abdominal ultrasound, chest X-rays and serology, found 3 out of 32 (9.3%) subjects with echinococcal cysts in the liver (two viable, one calcified), one of whom had also lung involvement and a strongly positive antibody response. Autochthonous transmission of E. granulosus is present in Lima. Informal, unlicensed abattoirs may be sources of infection to neighbouring people in this urban environment.

Subclinical pulmonary pathogenic infection in camels slaughtered in Cairo, Egypt

“…Humans may also develop the disease, and hydatid cysts have been reported in several body organs, primarily the liver, lungs, and the retroperitoneal region [22]. Transmission of hydatid cysts in unlicensed abattoirs to neighboring people has been reported elsewhere [23]. Some dressing activities at slaughterhouses can reduce contamination of carcasses, but others still jeopardize carcass hygiene [24].…”

Global Distribution of Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis

“…A second study in the same area reported 46% (23/50) of dogs positive on coproantigen testing while 38% (13/34) of sheep were infected at postmortem examination (Moro et al, 1999). A study on abattoir workers and stray dogs from a nonendemic coastal city found 4 of 22 dogs positive while 3 of 32 human had liver CE (Reyes et al, 2012). Between 2009 and 2012, official data reported infection prevalence ranges of 3.61e 6.12% for cattle and 6.55e10.44% for sheep (PAHO, 2015).…”

“…In Canchayllo, a locality in the Peruvian highlands, ultrasound surveys detected CE in 4.9% of 309 subjects (Moro et al, 2005). Autochthonous transmission of E. granulosus occurs in Lima, based on findings of CE in 3/32 workers in unlicensed abattoirs, using a combination of abdominal ultrasound, chest X-rays and serology (Reyes et al, 2012). p0875…”

Primary Giant Splenic Echinococcal Cyst Treated by Laparoscopy

“…We cannot rule out entirely a more recent infection, since migration patterns and transport of animals can establish foci of infection in apparently nonendemic cities. 20 To date, there are only 11 other cases of laparoscopically treated spleen cysts reported (Table 1). [11][12][13][14][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] In these cases, the diagnosis of splenic CHD was based on imaging findings, complemented by positive serology in only three of them.…”