ABSTRACT
The feral dog population from Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) has affected provincial sheep production, and is responsible for the decrease of 43% of the sheep stock. In addition, feral dogs preys on the native fauna, especially the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), a species protected by law. Except for some data on the aforementioned impact, very little is known about feral dogs features in this region, such as distribution, abundance, diet, reproduction, health status, among others. Therefore, a descriptive observational study was carried out in the period 2018-2021 in Tierra del Fuego, with the aim to recognize the endoparasitic fauna of these dogs, with emphasis on Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). Feces samples were collected from 83 feral dogs captured in 15 farms, which were evaluated using flotation and sedimentation coproparasitological techniques, and optical microscope observation. These qualitative methods showed that 66.3% of the samples were positive. Nine parasitic forms were found, including eggs of taenids, Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, and Sarcocystis spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts. Samples with more than one parasitic form were also observed, among which the Taenia/Sarcocystis spp. association was the most frequent. For the diagnosis of canine echinococcosis, the detection of Echinococcus spp. antigens by Copro-ELISA and the molecular confirmation by Copro-PCR were performed. The Copro-ELISA test was positive in 10/80 (12.5%) of the samples processed, while 11 samples (13.8%) were positive by Copro-PCR. Their distribution showed that 9 (81.8%) corresponded to farms with sheep farming, and 2 (18.2%) with cattle farming. The presence of E. granulosus s.l. in feral dogs from Tierra del Fuego is the most relevant finding in this study. These results confirm that feral dogs have access to viscera infected with hydatid cysts. However, the intermediate hosts involved (sheep, cattle or guanacos) should be investigated. Its impact on the transmission of cystic echinococcosis in this region should be evaluated, as well as the adequacy of the disease prevention and control actions implemented in Tierra del Fuego should be considered. Finally, the existence of a wild cycle of the disease should be evaluated, in which feral dogs would act as a source of infection for other animals and humans.
Subject(s)
Camelids, New World , Cattle Diseases , Dog Diseases , Echinococcosis , Echinococcus granulosus , Echinococcus , Sheep Diseases , Animals , Cattle , Dogs , Agriculture , Antigens, Helminth , Argentina/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Oocysts , SheepABSTRACT
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most prevalent zoonoses in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Control programs in South America were originally modeled after programs developed in insular territories, such as Tasmania and New Zealand. The advent and proven effectiveness of praziquantel, plus the experience of insular models, produced high expectations for rapid advances; however, after 30 years of praziquantel use, no endemic area in South America has obtained eradication. In fact, only modest gains in CE control have been made and impact on prevalence among humans has been slight. A major impediment has been the infrastructure needed to administer praziquantel to dogs in rural areas 8 times per year over numerous years, a requirement for rapid attack stage 1. Such an infrastructure has not been financially or politically sustainable in endemic areas, which tend to be the poorest. On the other hand, certain areas in Argentina have had success with simple and economically viable alternatives. Based primarily on continuous field work supported by the local community, these strategies have significantly decreased transmission to humans, the health sector's main objective. In addition, new possibilities and tools, such as the EG95 vaccine, are being evaluated; as are early detection and treatment of asymptomatic carriers.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Echinococcosis/prevention & control , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Infection Control/organization & administration , Praziquantel/therapeutic use , Sheep Diseases/prevention & control , Adolescent , Animals , Antigens, Helminth/immunology , Asymptomatic Diseases , Carrier State/diagnosis , Carrier State/drug therapy , Child , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dogs , Drug Utilization , Echinococcosis/drug therapy , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Echinococcosis/transmission , Forecasting , Helminth Proteins/immunology , Humans , Incidence , Population Surveillance , Preventive Health Services/organization & administration , Preventive Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Program Evaluation , Retrospective Studies , Rural Health , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/epidemiology , South America/epidemiology , Vaccination/veterinary , Vaccines , ZoonosesABSTRACT
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most prevalent zoonoses in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Control programs in South America were originally modeled after programs developed in insular territories, such as Tasmania and New Zealand. The advent and proven effectiveness of praziquantel, plus the experience of insular models, produced high expectations for rapid advances; however, after 30 years of praziquantel use, no endemic area in South America has obtained eradication. In fact, only modest gains in CE control have been made and impact on prevalence among humans has been slight. A major impediment has been the infrastructure needed to administer praziquantel to dogs in rural areas 8 times per year over numerous years, a requirement for rapid attack stage 1. Such an infrastructure has not been financially or politically sustainable in endemic areas, which tend to be the poorest. On the other hand, certain areas in Argentina have had success with simple and economically viable alternatives. Based primarily on continuous field work supported by the local community, these strategies have significantly decreased transmission to humans, the health sector's main objective. In addition, new possibilities and tools, such as the EG95 vaccine, are being evaluated; as are early detection and treatment of asymptomatic carriers.
La equinococosis quística (EQ) es una de las zoonosis más prevalentes en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Perú y Uruguay. Los programas de control en América del Sur fueron originalmente hechos a imitación de los programas desarrollados en territorios insulares, como Tasmania y Nueva Zelandia. El advenimiento y la eficacia comprobada del prazicuantel, sumados a la experiencia de los modelos insulares, dieron lugar a altas expectativas de adelantos rápidos; sin embargo, después de 30 años de uso del prazicuantel, ninguna zona endémica en América del Sur ha logrado la erradicación de la enfermedad. De hecho, solo se han obtenido avances moderados en el control de la EQ, y su repercusión sobre la prevalencia en seres humanos ha sido leve. Un impedimento mayor ha sido la infraestructura necesaria para administrar el prazicuantel a los perros en zonas rurales 8 veces por año durante varios años, un requisito para el estadio 1 de ataque rápido. Tal infraestructura no ha sido sostenible desde el punto de vista económico o político en las zonas endémicas, que tienden a ser las más pobres. Por otro lado, ciertas áreas de la Argentina han tenido éxito con opciones sencillas y económicamente viables. Basadas principalmente en el trabajo continuo en el terreno apoyado por la comunidad local, estas estrategias han reducido significativamente la transmisión a los seres humanos, que es el objetivo principal del sector de la salud. Además, se están evaluando nuevas posibilidades y herramientas, como la vacuna EG95, al igual que la detección temprana y el tratamiento de los portadores asintomáticos.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Child , Adolescent , Dogs , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Echinococcosis/prevention & control , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Infection Control/organization & administration , Praziquantel/therapeutic use , Sheep Diseases/prevention & control , Antigens, Helminth/immunology , Asymptomatic Diseases , Carrier State/diagnosis , Carrier State/drug therapy , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Drug Utilization , Echinococcosis/drug therapy , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Echinococcosis/transmission , Forecasting , Helminth Proteins/immunology , Incidence , Population Surveillance , Preventive Health Services/organization & administration , Preventive Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Program Evaluation , Retrospective Studies , Rural Health , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/epidemiology , South America/epidemiology , Vaccination/veterinary , Vaccines , ZoonosesSubject(s)
Echinococcosis , Communicable Disease Control , Praziquantel , Epidemiological Monitoring , South America , Echinococcosis , Communicable Disease Control , Epidemiological Monitoring , South America , Anthelmintics , Echinococcosis , Infection Control , Antigens, Helminth , Carrier State , Drug Utilization , Helminth Proteins , Sheep , Zoonoses , Dog Diseases , Sheep Diseases , Asymptomatic Diseases , Forecasting , Incidence , Population Surveillance , Preventive Health Services , Program Evaluation , Retrospective Studies , Rural Health , South America , Vaccination , VaccinesABSTRACT
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is the most prevalent zoonosis in Tierra del Fuego. In 1997, ulrasonography (US) was selected as the method of choice for the development of population surveys for epidemiological surveillance and early diagnosis in rural population. The aim of this work was to present the results of the epidemiological surveillance of CE by means of US in rural population of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina between 1997 and 2006. The ultrasonographic diagnostic was realized once a year. The population was stratified in children (4 to 17 years) and adults. From each individual, name, age, sex, actual residence and origin were registered. The images compatible with cysts were graded according to location, number and characteristics. A total of 1400 rural inhabitants were examined for CE. From the total of studied individuals, 27 (1.9%) exhibited images compatible with cysts on the abdominal ultrasound scan. Thirteen of these persons were finally diagnosed as having CE. The overall prevalence of CE was 0.9%. This value is in accordance with the decrease in the prevalence observed in the definitive host and the intermediate hosts (sheep and cattle). The absence of cases in children during the studied period, evidence no transmission of the disease to humans in the recent past.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis, Hepatic/diagnostic imaging , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/epidemiology , Population Surveillance/methods , Rural Population , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/parasitology , Echinococcus granulosus , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Ultrasonography , Young AdultABSTRACT
The coexistence between man and dog has resulted in mutual benefits during thousands of years, nevertheless some problems have recently arisen where bite injuries have an important role. The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of dog bite lesions which occurred during a year in Tierra del Fuego. A descriptive observational, transversal study of patients who were admitted with dog bite injuries to clinic and pediatric emergency services of hospitals and health centers was carried out between 3/1/05 and 3/1/06. A total of 382 records were made. The children group represents 49.5%. The group between 5 and 9 year-old was the most affected (44.4%; IC95% 37.2-51.8). In the adult group, that between 15 and 24 year-old was the most affected (29.5%; IC95% 23.2-36.5). More lesions were registered in men (57.6%) than in women (42.4%) (chi2 = 8.6, p = 0.003). During spring and summer months, 56.5% of the lesions were registered. A 72.8% of the incidents occurred on the public highway. Dogs of big size were responsible of 49.7% (IC95% 44.6-54.9) of the injuries. The 89.8% of the incidents were caused by another person's dog. Of the lesions, 55.8% (IC95% 50.6-60.8) were registered in lower extremities and 11% (IC95% 8.1-14.7) in head and neck. These data show that dog bite lesions affect the health and impact in the quality of life of the population of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
Subject(s)
Bites and Stings/epidemiology , Dogs , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Bites and Stings/pathology , Bites and Stings/prevention & control , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Seasons , Sex Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
La convivencia del hombre y el perro ha resultado en beneficios mutuos durante miles de años, si bien en el último tiempo han surgido una serie de inconvenientes donde las lesiones por mordeduras ocupan un lugar destacado. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir las características epidemiológicas de las lesiones por mordedura de perro ocurridas a lo largo de un año en Tierra del Fuego. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo, transversal, de los pacientes que ingresaron con lesiones por mordedura de perro al Servicio de Guardia Clínica y Pediátrica de los Hospitales y Centros de Salud desde el 1/3/05 hasta el 1/3/06. Se confeccionaron 382 planillas. El 49.5% fueron niños resultando más afectado el grupo de 5-9 años (44.4%; IC95% 37.2-51.8). En adultos correspondió al grupo de 15-24 años (29.5%; IC95% 23.2-36.5). Se registraron más lesiones en varones (57.6%) que en mujeres (42.4%) (x² = 8.6, p= 0.003). En los meses primavera y verano se registró el 56.5% de las lesiones, en la vía pública el 72.8% de ellas. Los perros de tamaño grande causaron el 49.7% (IC95% 44.6-54.9) de las lesiones. El 89.8% de los ataques fueron causados por perros ajenos. El 55.8% (IC95% 50.6-60.8) se registró en miembros inferiores y el 11% (IC95% 8.1-14.7) en cabeza y cuello. Los datos obtenidos demuestran que en Tierra del Fuego las lesiones por mordedura de perro afectan en forma permanente la salud e impactan en la calidad de vida de la población.
The coexistence between man and dog has resulted in mutual benefits during thousands of years, nevertheless some problems have recently arisen where bite injuries have an important role. The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of dog bite lesions which occurred during a year in Tierra del Fuego. A descriptive observational, transversal study of patients who were admitted with dog bite injuries to clinic and pediatric emergency services of hospitals and health centers was carried out between 3/1/05 and 3/1/06. A total of 382 records were made. The children group represents 49.5%. The group between 5 and 9 year-old was the most affected (44.4%; IC95% 37.2-51.8). In the adult group, that between 15 and 24 year-old was the most affected (29.5%; IC95% 23.2- 36.5). More lesions were registered in men (57.6%) than in women (42.4%) (x² = 8.6, p= 0.003). During spring and summer months, 56.5% of the lesions were registered. A 72.8% of the incidents occurred on the public highway. Dogs of big size were responsible of 49.7% (IC95% 44.6-54.9) of the injuries. The 89.8% of the incidents were caused by another person´s dog. Of the lesions, 55.8% (IC95% 50.6-60.8) were registered in lower extremities and 11% (IC95% 8.1-14.7) in head and neck. These data show that dog bite lesions affect the health and impact in the quality of life of the population of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Bites and Stings/epidemiology , Dogs , Age Distribution , Argentina/epidemiology , Bites and Stings/pathology , Bites and Stings/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Seasons , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Cystic echinococcosis is the most prevalent zoonosis in Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina, with important economic, productive and public health consequences. The present work was performed to determine the ovine prevalence in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, as well as to evaluate the quality of diagnostic systems in slaughterhouses. Moreover, genetic analyses to characterize the strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the region were done. The first actions to perform a diagnosis of the epidemiological situation of hydatidosis in Tierra del Fuego were done between 1976 and 1977. A canine prevalence of 80% and an ovine prevalence of 55% results were obtained. Since 1979 the control program of Hydatidosis of Tierra del Fuego was implemented. It was based on semiannual canine anthelmintic treatment with praziquantel at dose of 5mg/kg, and complemented with sanitary education and canine and ovine epidemiological surveillance. During May 1997-January 1999: 5,916 sheep coming from 20 farms of the programmatic area were evaluated. In the lamb category, hydatid cysts were not found. In the adults category, 62 infected animals were found (3.2%). The ovine prevalence was 1.1% and there was 100% of coincidence between diagnosis in the slaughterhouse, re-inspection in the laboratory and histopathological study. The marked decrease in the prevalence observed for sheep infection evidenced a destabilization of the biological cycle of the parasite. This could be explained by the application of a control program with uninterrupted systematic actions. Polymerase chain reaction-ribosomal ITS-1 DNA (rDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene were used to characterize E. granulosus isolates collected from different regions of Tierra del Fuego to determine which genotypes occurred in this region. The results revealed the presence of the G1 genotype (sheep-dog strain). This is the first time that a molecular analysis was performed for the E. granulosus isolates from Tierra del Fuego.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/veterinary , Echinococcus granulosus/classification , Sheep Diseases/epidemiology , Abattoirs , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Dogs , Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Echinococcus granulosus/genetics , Echinococcus granulosus/isolation & purification , Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics , Humans , Liver/parasitology , Lung/parasitology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Prevalence , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/diagnosis , Sheep Diseases/parasitology , ZoonosesABSTRACT
The present work was performed to study the intestinal helminths of the patagonian grey fox (Pseudalopex griseus) and to obtain information about its possible role in the sylvatic life cycle of Echinococcu granulosus in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia Argentina. Eighty-one foxes were captured and subject to post-mortem analysis. Thirty-one foxes (38.3%) harboured helminths. A total of six helminth species were recovered. Only one adult of E. granulosus was found in the studied samples. The current study is the first report of the intestinal helminths of the patagonian grey fox in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina and showed that this specie is probably not an important reservoir host for E. granulosus.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/veterinary , Echinococcus granulosus/isolation & purification , Foxes/parasitology , Helminthiasis, Animal/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Disease Reservoirs/veterinary , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Female , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , MaleABSTRACT
La gran cantidad de perrons callejeros que visitan y contaminan con su materia fecal las plazas de Rio Grande, exponen a los niños que allí concurren a un serio riesgo de contraer enfermedades zoonóticas. El desconocimiento de elementales medidades de prevención por parte de la población modela una situación que posibilitaría la transmisión de estas noxas, una de las más importantes es Toxocara canis.Para determinar la magnitud de esta situación, se evaluó la contaminación con huevos de T. canis en pooles de materia fecal canina obtenidos de 37 plazas de la ciudad de Rio Grande, provincia de Tierra del Fuego, durante el invierno de 2002 y el verano de 2003.En el 97,30 porciento de las plazas estudiadas, se detectó materia fecal canina en diferente grado. El 37,50 porciento resultó positiva para huevos de Toxocara canis, y el estado larval infectante L2 se observó en el 48,6 porciento de éstas.Los resultados sugieren implementar campañas de difusión de las principales medidas de prevención de la enfermedad, y disminuir la cantidad de perros sueltos en la vía pública a través de un programa de control consensuado con todos los sectores de la comunidad, basado en la tenencia responsable de mascotas y que otorgue prioridad a la salud y el bienestar de los habitantes por sobre cualquier otro argumento.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Dogs , Environmental Pollution , ArgentinaABSTRACT
La gran cantidad de perrons callejeros que visitan y contaminan con su materia fecal las plazas de Rio Grande, exponen a los niños que allí concurren a un serio riesgo de contraer enfermedades zoonóticas. El desconocimiento de elementales medidades de prevención por parte de la población modela una situación que posibilitaría la transmisión de estas noxas, una de las más importantes es Toxocara canis.Para determinar la magnitud de esta situación, se evaluó la contaminación con huevos de T. canis en pooles de materia fecal canina obtenidos de 37 plazas de la ciudad de Rio Grande, provincia de Tierra del Fuego, durante el invierno de 2002 y el verano de 2003.En el 97,30 porciento de las plazas estudiadas, se detectó materia fecal canina en diferente grado. El 37,50 porciento resultó positiva para huevos de Toxocara canis, y el estado larval infectante L2 se observó en el 48,6 porciento de éstas.Los resultados sugieren implementar campañas de difusión de las principales medidas de prevención de la enfermedad, y disminuir la cantidad de perros sueltos en la vía pública a través de un programa de control consensuado con todos los sectores de la comunidad, basado en la tenencia responsable de mascotas y que otorgue prioridad a la salud y el bienestar de los habitantes por sobre cualquier otro argumento. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Environmental Pollution , Dogs , ArgentinaABSTRACT
In 2000 Guarnera et al. proposed using ELISA in canine faeces collected from the ground to detect dogs infected with Echinococcus granulosus, thus determining sheep farms with active transmission. The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of E. granulosus infection in sheep farms of the Patagonia. Sheep farms were randomly selected in the Provinces of Río Negro, Chubut, Neuquén, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego (areas with control programs) and La Pampa (comparison area). From one to three samples of fecal matter were obtained for each sheep farm, which were processed by means of copro-ELISA test with confirmation of positive samples by copro-Western blot. A total of 1042 samples were obtained from 352 sheep farms, 26 (7.3%) proving positive. Of these 5 (6.3%) were from La Pampa, 9 (13.8%) from Neuquén, 4 (4.7%) from Río Negro, 2 (2.9%) from Chubut, 1 (5.9%) from Santa Cruz and 5 (13.9%) from Tierra del Fuego. The identification of parasitized dogs is an essential activity upon which rests the strategy of control and surveillance. Arecoline tests or coproantigen test with fecal matter obtained directly from the dog contribute information on individual prevalence, while the use of coproantigens detected in ground-collected samples transfers the dog unit of observation to units of greater epidemiological value. In the present experience, the technique employed seems promising for its application in systems of epidemiological surveillance of cystic echinococcosis and in drawing a baseline on which to measure the progress of control programs in the Argentine Patagonia in subsequent years.
