Risk factors associated with human cystic echinococcosis in Florida, Uruguay: results of a mass screening study using ultrasound and serology.

Abstract

Sonographic evidence of asymptomatic Echinococcus granulosus lesions in the liver was found in 156 of 9,515 persons in the Department of Florida, Uruguay. The sensitivity of ELISA and latex agglutination serology compared with ultrasound was 47.6% and 28.1%, respectively, and specificity was Ͼ 85%. There was a significant positive association between positive sonography and a personal history of previous but treated Echinococcus infection while those that were seropositive but ultrasound-negative were significantly more likely to have a personal history of infection or a history of infection in their family. Prevalence of infection increased significantly with age. There was no correlation between echinococcosis and dog ownership or home slaughter of sheep but offal disposal was important, with an increased prevalence of infection of 3.2%, 2.8%, and 3.1%, respectively, in persons feeding offal to dogs or burying or burning it compared with a prevalence of 0.8-1.5% in those using other methods of disposal. Almost half the population, when questioned, seemed to have sound knowledge about E. granulosus and described correct treatment of E. granulosus in dogs but this did not affect prevalence. There was a significant positive association between infection and the presence of a fenced fruit/vegetable garden and use of rural waters, particularly the cachimba (a small dam) and the aljibe (a cistern or tank) that collect rainwater from the ground surface and roofs, respectively.

Analysis of the economic impact of cystic echinococcosis in Spain

“…49 Because this technique has not been used for field epidemiological surveys in Spain, we had to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed or asymptomatic cases by extrapolating from other data. 29 Undiagnosed or asymptomatic cases incur productivity losses and costs due to the partial disability caused by the chronic effect of the infection. 50 A theoretical estimate of a 2% reduction in work productivity…”

Human hydatidosis: an under discussed occupational zoonosis in India

“…Humans become infected by accidentally consuming eggs of Echinococcus granulosus through contaminated food, water and soil, or through direct contact with dogs (Matoff & Kolev, 1964;Lawson & Gemmell, 1990). The important risk factors for human infections include having a family member with the disease (Perez-Rodriguez et al, 1995;Larrieu et al, 2002), contact with dogs (Perez-Rodriguez et al 1995), especially those that are fed or have access to raw offal (CamposBueno et al, 2000) and open, non-piped water sources (Yamamoto et al, 1996;Carmona et al, 1998). The organs .... most frequently affected are the liver and / or lungs (Mottaghian et al, 1982;Karpathios et al, 1985).…”

Factores domiciliarios asociados con la presencia de hidatidosis humana en tres comunidades rurales de Junín, Perú

“…Las otras dos características (ausencia de un suministro seguro de agua y vivir en la comunidad con quintil de pobreza más bajo) no han sido descritas como tales en estudios previos, pero estarían directamente relacionadas con la pobreza, lo cual sí ha sido discutido en otros estudios donde se reportó que algunas características socioeconómicas y culturales serían los mejores factores asociados con la presencia de hidatidosis, nombrándose como ejemplo el contacto cercano con perros sin control veterinario, el sacrificio del ganado sin control y las condiciones insalubres de vida (19)(20)(21) . Esta asociación entre la pobreza y el desarrollo de la enfermedad ha ido ganando la atención en los últimos años y, hoy en día, el alivio de la pobreza es uno de los objetivos propuestos por la OMS-FAO para el control de las zoonosis (22) .…”