Short Report: Endemic Focus of Cystic Echinococcosis in a Coastal City of Peru

Type Journal Article - The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Title Short Report: Endemic Focus of Cystic Echinococcosis in a Coastal City of Peru
Author(s)
Volume 71
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2004
Page numbers 327-329
URL http://www.ajtmh.org/content/71/3/327.long
Abstract
No evidence of Echinococcus granulosus infection has been described in the coastal region of Peru, with the exception of the capital city of Lima. Anecdotal evidence suggests the existence of a focus of echinococcosis in the coastal city of Chincha, located south of Lima. We conducted a preliminary epidemiologic study in Chincha, which included an ultrasound, chest radiography, and serologic survey of abattoir workers, a review of medical records from local hospitals, and examination of the intestines of stray dogs to determine the presence of canine echinococcosis. Among 25 abattoir workers examined for the presence of cystic echinococcosis, we found three (12%) subjects with echinococcal cysts. A review of medical records showed a surgical incidence of 32/100,000 for the period 1996–1998. Three of 48 dogs (6.25%) were found to be infected with E. granulosus tapeworms. This study demonstrates the existence of an undocumented endemic focus of E. granulosus previously unknown in the coastal region of Peru.

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