Study of toxocarosis and echinococcosis in association with socio-environmental conditions in peripheral and urban communities of Mar del Plata city, General Pueyrredon district.

CARLA LAVALLÉN; MARIELA KIFER; BEATRIZ BRIGNANI; MARTÍN BISCAYCHIPI; AMALIA ROJAS; GABRIELA COLACE; ESTELA CHICOTE; CRISTIAN GIUNTINI; GUILLERMO DENEGRI; MARCELA DOPCHIZ

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC); 2016

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica

Parasiteszoonoses are a socio-sanitary problem related with high unemployment, poverty andhousing issues. Numerous canine endoparasites could infest people developing adisease. Two parasites zoonoses of world and country importance are thetoxocarosis produced by Toxocara nematodesand the echinococcosis caused by Echinococcuslarval and adults cestodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate if thedifferences at socio-environmental conditions were related with the existenceof toxocarosis and echinococcosis in peripheral (PC) and urban communities (UC)of Mar de Plata city. Epidemiological surveys were made to 460 persons (PC) andto 172 (UC). The presence of Toxocaracanis in dogs was evaluated through coproparasitological research in 306samples (PC) and 46 (UC). Coproantigen tests to the identification of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs weredone in 109 samples (PC) and 27 (UC). Screeningstudies including ultrasonography, chest X-ray, ophthalmological examination,blood count and ELISA test were carried on 200 persons (PC) and 114 (UC), forthe detection of toxocarosis (T) and cystic echinococcosis (CE). The PC showed poorhousing conditions and a the highest frequency of families living in overcrowdedconditions (I?F=0,15; p<0,05). The frequencies of dogs infested with T. canis were 13,4% in the PC and 8,7% inthe UC. The frequencies of coproantigen positive samples were 22,2% in the UCand 17,8% in the PC. The ultrasonography and chest X-ray did not reveal lesionsby T or CE. The PC showed the highest frequencies of ELISA reactive children (X2=29,3;p<0,01) and adults (X2=24,9; p<0,01). Five of them showedmaculopathies. Eosinophilia was observed in reactive people from bothcommunities. Association between reactive ELISA and contact with dogs wasobserved in the 71,3% of PC and in the 57,1% of UC. Both parasites zoonoseswere present in the communities. The PC have more risk factors to thepersistence and dissemination of the diseases in the population.