EPIDEM IOLOGY AND APPROACH TREATMENT OF HUMAN CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS: CASE SERIES STUDY

M DOPCHIZ; C. ALBANI; E.RIVA; MC ELISSONDO; CM LAVALLEN; G. DENEGRI

Buenos Aires

Congreso; I Congreso Internacional de Zoonosis y enfermedades emergentes, VII Congreso Argentino de Zoonosis; 2011

Asociación Argentina de Zoonosis

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonoses of worldwide distribution caused mainly by the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. In Argentina, its distribution reaches endemic levels. The aims of this study were to investigate the trends in confirmed cases of human CE recorded in "HospitalPrivadodeComunidad" (HPC)in Mar del Plata city during a period of 28 years (1974-2002) and to study demographic and clinical characteristics of cases together with epidemiological factors associated with the disease. Clinical records of operated and/or diagnosed patients were reviewed with regard to this disease. Official notification (ON) records were used to compare the Mal (mean annual incidence) of CE between 1998 and 2002 with the of CE in HPC during the same period. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info2000 and the Statistical software. One hunndred and fifteen cases (57.4% women; mean age 61.3+17.1 years) were included in this retrospective study, 80% of which in urban areas. Ult :Theaverage incidence for the period was 1,98 per100000 inhabitants. Age groups between 60 and 89 showed the higt MAl. In 76.5% of the cases, ultrasonography was used to diagnose the disease. Hepatic location was the most frequently seen. Ninety point four per cent of the total diagnosed CE patients received any approach due to illness, 47.1% received surgical treatment and 19.2% pharmacological treatment. The mean length of hospital stay was 15 days. The average incidence for period 1997-2001 was 3.6 and 1.3 in HPC and Official Notification respectively. The average annual incidence of CE could be under-estimated as it only reflects symptomatic cases. The most diagnosticated age group was 60-89 years-old. This could be due to the slow course of development for the CE and coincides with the high percentage of adult people in the study area. CE infection is closely related to people with high risk factors such as contaminated soil or Contact with infected dogs with parasite eggs. Ultrasound alone or in combination with other techniques is the method most frequently used to diagnose the disease, Surgery is the first choice for complicated cysts. This disease generates a high cost for the hospital and an important social impact. Although CE disease is a disease of obligatory notification in Argentina, not all cases are reported. The permanence of CE the region is mainly due to the natural transmission of the parasite in the absence of control and prevention measures. Health authorities should implement the necessary strategies in the study area.