Endoparasitic infections in dogs from rural areas in the Lobos District, Buenos Aires province, Argentina / Infecçóes endoparasitas em cães de áreas rurais do distrito de Lobos, província de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dogs are definite hosts for several zoonotic helminthes and protozoan. Rural areas from the Lobos District in the northeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, are mainly used for livestock activity, increasing in this way the number of dogs on farms as well as the human risk of parasitic infections. The aims of this research were to evaluate the endoparasitic infections in dogs from farms in the Lobos District and analyze their zoonotic importance as well as several risk practices and habits of the rural population. Forty-two dog fecal samples obtained in 21 farms were analyzed through coproparasitological methods and coproantigen tests, which resulted in an overall parasite prevalence of 69.05% and 80.95% of the parasitized farms. The most frequent parasites were Trichuris vulpis and Eucoleus aerophila (26.19%), Echinococcus granulosus (19.05%), Uncinaria stenocephala and coccids (14.29%). The analysis of epidemiological files showed several habits of the rural population considered as risk factors associated with the presence of fecal samples parasitized and the presence of E. granulosus on the farms. It is clear that people involved with the farms studied were exposed to several helminthes that could cause serious diseases like cystic echinococcosis, which can become an important public health issue and affect the economy worldwide.

Os cães são hospedeiros definitivos de vários helmintos e protozoários zoonóticos. As áreas rurais do distrito de Lobos, no nordeste da província de Buenos Aires, Argentina, destinam-se principalmente à atividade pecuária aumentando desta forma o número de cães em fazendas, bem como o risco humano de infecções parasitárias. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar as infecções endoparasitas em cães de fazendas do distrito de Lobos e analisar a sua importância zoonótica, bem como as práticas de risco e hábitos da população rural. Quarenta e duas amostras de fezes de cães obtidos em 21 fazendas foram analisadas pelos métodos coproparasitológicos e testes de coproantígenos, resultando numa prevalência de parasitas de 69,05% e 80,95% das propriedades parasitados. Os parasitas mais frequentes foram Trichuris vulpis e Eucoleus aerophila (26,19%), Echinococcus granulosus (19,05%), Uncinaria stenocephala e coccídeos (14,29%). A análise dos arquivos epidemiológicos mostraram vários hábitos da população rural como fatores de risco associados com a presença de amostras fecais parasitadas e a presença de E. granulosus em propriedades rurais. É evidente que as pessoas das fazendas estudadas foram expostas a vários helmintos que podem causar doenças graves como equinococose cística, que constitui importante problema de saúde pública e econômico a nível mundial.

Hydatidosis cases in one of Mar del Plata City hospitals, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution produced mainly by the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. In Argentina, its distribution reaches endemic levels. The aims of this investigation were to contribute to the knowledge of hydatidosis in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, study its evolution at the Interzonal General Hospital for Acute Diseases between 1992 and 2002 and discuss its importance. Clinical records of operated and/or diagnosed patients were reviewed with regard to this disease. One hundred and twenty cases were analyzed. Among the patients, 56.7 percent were women. The average age was 42.2+16.8 years. 68.3 percent lived in urban areas. In 75 percent of the cases, ultrasonography was used. Hepatic location was most frequently seen. 89.2 percent received surgical treatment. Albendazole was used for 19 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 16 days. We conclude that this zoonosis is a disease that generates high costs in medical care and for this reason more epidemiological studies should be carried out and public health authorities should implement control and prevention strategies in the region.

A hidatidose é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial produzida principalmente pela meta-cestódeo Echinococcus granulosus. Na Argentina, a distribuição alcança níveis endêmicos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi contribuir ao conhecimento da hidatidose no sudeste da província de Buenos Aires, estudar sua evolução no Hospital Geral Interzonal para Doenças Infecciosas Agudas, entre 1992 e 2002 e discutir sua importância. Os registros clínicos dos pacientes operados e/ou diagnosticados foram revisados quanto a esta doença. Cento e vinte casos foram analisados. Entre os pacientes, 56,7 por cento eram mulheres. A idade média foi de 42,2+16,8 anos. Um grupo de 68,3 por cento eram residentes urbanos. Em 75 por cento dos casos, foi utilizada a ultrassonografia. Observou-se mais freqüentemente a localização hepática. Um grupo de 89,2 por cento foi submetido a tratamento cirúrgico. Utilizou-se albendazole em 19 pacientes. A duração média da hospitalização foi de 16 dias. Concluímos que esta zoonose é uma doença que gera custos altos na atenção médica e, por isso, mais estudos epidemiológicos devem ser feitos e as autoridades públicas de saúde devem implementar estratégias de controle e prevenção na região.

Human hydatidosis in Mar de Plata: Buenos Aires province, Argentina 1992-1995, a preliminary study

To assess the health risk associated with Echinococcus granulosus , a retrospective survey of hydatid infection was conducted between 1992 and 1995 by examining records of patients with hydatidosis from two hospitals of Mar del Plata City, General Pueyrredón District, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.Eighty five patients (34 males and 51 females) with confirm hydatidosis were registered. The average age was 48.2 years. Employee was the occupation that present the greatest percentage of cases (16.5 percent). Ultrasonography (US) was the most frequently used diagnostic method (28.2 percent). Infection in the liver occurred most commonly (58.8 percent of the 85 cases). Of the 85 patients, 74 (87.1 percent) received surgery; 12 received medical treatment with albendazole.The results obtained in this work from two hospitals show a problematic situation with respect to hydatid disease in Mar del Plata City. To have a good view of infection prevalence in Mar del Plata City, more retrospective survey data on human hydatidosis must be don