ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread zoonosis and a significant economic concern and cause of morbidity in humans. A scarcity of education on the sources of CE infection and containment measures is considered to be a key factor responsible for persistent transmission within communities. Recently, edutainment approaches have captured the attention of health education (HE) professionals due to the benefits of integrating cognitive and emotional learning processes. METHODS: A study was carried out in Sardinia, Italy, between 2020 and 2022, amid the SARS-Covid-19 pandemic. The project, designed to involve primary school children (via remote or face-to-face learning depending on the evolving Covid-19 containment measures) consisted of four distinct phases: (i) creation of material for school children and teachers focused on cystic echinococcosis; (ii) pre-intervention evaluation of CE knowledge (i.e. True False Don't Know [TFD] pre-intervention questionnaire based on CE-related knowledge and practices); (iii) edutainment activity (e.g. interactive lessons enhanced by the comic booklet and the "Fight the parasite" cartoon video, hands-on educational activities and drawing activities on CE); and (iv) post-intervention evaluation of CE knowledge (via TFD post-intervention questionnaire [same questionnaire as used for the pre-intervention assessment] on CE-related knowledge and practices) and on-site edutainment tour in primary schools taking part to the project. RESULTS: The percentage of correct answers increased from 65% for the questionnaire administered pre-intervention to 87.9% for the same questionnaire administered post-intervention (χ2 = 648.12, df = 1, P < 0.0001), while the percentage of uncertain answers (i.e. 'I don't know') decreased from 23% pre-intervention to 5% post-intervention (χ2 = 603.44, df = 1, P < 0.0001). These differences indicate a significantly enhanced understanding of CE among participating school children after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present survey indicate that the use of digital educational tools, the use of video animations as a model for science communication, as well as other participatory teaching methods, enabled children to retain key knowledge of the routes of CE transmission and ways to prevent it.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Echinococcosis , Parasites , Child , Animals , Humans , Pandemics , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Echinococcosis/prevention & control , SchoolsABSTRACT
Hydatid cyst is an infection caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, which is seen endemic in animal husbandry areas. Due to the heavy burden on physicians during the pandemics, diseases other than COVID-19 took a back seat during the differential diagnosis of patients. Hydatid cyst is located in the bone at a rate of 1-4%. The symptoms and imaging features of the cyst located in the bone are not specific, thus they are less likely to be considered in the differential diagnosis of extremity lesions. The absence of a specific clinical picture and the lack of high sensitivity of the indirect hemagglutination test bring radiological evaluations to the fore in diagnosis. In this case report, we shared diagnostic and treatment process of a patient-who was first admitted to the hospital with edema, pain and fever in the leg, was diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) later diagnosed hydatid cyst with lung and bone involvement.
ABSTRACT
Hydatid cyst is an infection caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, which is seen endemic in animal husbandry areas. Due to the heavy burden on physicians during the pandemics, diseases other than COVID-19 took a back seat during the differential diagnosis of patients. Hydatid cyst is located in the bone at a rate of 1-4%. The symptoms and imaging features of the cyst located in the bone are not specific, thus they are less likely to be considered in the differential diagnosis of extremity lesions. The absence of a specific clinical picture and the lack of high sensitivity of the indirect hemagglutination test bring radiological evaluations to the fore in diagnosis. In this case report, we shared diagnostic and treatment process of a patient-who was first admitted to the hospital with edema, pain and fever in the leg, was diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) later diagnosed hydatid cyst with lung and bone involvement.
ABSTRACT
Exotic pest and disease investigations are managed and reported by the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI's) Diagnostic and Surveillance Directorate. This article presents a summary of investigations of suspect exotic and emerging pests and diseases in New Zealand during the period from July to September 2021.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the comorbidity of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and to lay a foundation for further research on the influence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis on HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Echinococcosis is one of the most important parasitic zoonotic diseases around the world. Echinococcus granulosus is the most widespread species of the genus Echinococcus that can develop cysts in different parts of the body. We tried to present a case of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. METHODS: Here, we report a rare case of two ruptured and intact cysts in a 54-year-old woman with weakness, lethargy, body pain, stomachache, dizziness, and vision problems. RESULTS: According to the patient's manifestations and imaging findings, besides the COVID-19 pandemic, she was suspected of having COVID-19 and tuberculosis. However, when the aspirated sample was stained, hooklets of E. granulosus were observed. Surgical removal and chemotherapy were used for treatment. CONCLUSION: Treatment of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis is based on surgery, but, along with it, the chemotherapy makes a better prognosis.