EPIDEMIOLOGY AND APPROACH TREATMENT OF HUMAN CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS: CASE SERIES STUDY

DOPCHIZ M. C.; ALBANI C. M.; RIVA E.; LAVALLÉN C.; ELISSONDO M. C.; DENEGRI G. M.

Congreso; . I Congreso Internacional de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes; 2011

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“Hospital Privado de Comunidad” (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. One hundred and fifteen cases (57.4% women; mean age 61.3+17.1 years) were included in this retrospective study, 80% of which lived in urban areas. 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 the period 1997–2001 was 3.6 and 1.3 in HPC and Official Notification respectively. Our study showed that since the permanence of CE in 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.