Public health importance of cystic echinococcosis in Latin America.

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by larval Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonosis of major public health importance throughout Latin America. The Andean and South Cone regions have been recognized as endemic areas of cystic echinococcosis. This paper reviews prevalence in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil and Peru.

[Risk of transmission of cholera by fish products: regional perspective in South America]. / Riesgos de transmisión del cólera por productos pesqueros: perspectiva regional en Sudamérica.

Cholera returned to South America in January 1991, after almost a century of absence. The hygienic status of the countries affected, aggravated by economic and political difficulties, allowed the disease to spread rapidly. In Peru, fishery products were incriminated from the outset, although without conclusive evidence. However, epidemiological and laboratory findings in other countries have confirmed the transmission of the disease by these products. The authors discuss the effects of the recent cholera epidemic on the trade and consumption of fishery products in countries of South America. The actual risk of cholera transmission by food and in particular by the consumption of fishery products is discussed, and a basis for conducting an accurate evaluation of these risks is proposed. Finally, the authors summarise the measures recommended to prevent the transmission of cholera by fishery products.

Street food vending in Latin America.

Despite occasional attempts to repress it, street food vending in Latin America appears to be on the rise--encouraged by growing marginal urban populations, the unemployed status of innumerable potential street vendors, lengthening commutes for workers, public demand for cheap and culturally appropriate food near workplaces, and a shortage or absence of regular establishments serving such food. Besides placing a hidden burden on public services, the generally unregulated and quasi-clandestine street food industry tends to observe poor hygienic practices and to pose significant public health problems. Within this context, Latin America's cholera epidemics have drawn increasing attention to street food's potential for disease transmission and have created growing support for attempts to resolve these troubles. What appears needed at this point, rather than futile attempts at abolition, is a new and more positive approach wherein countries change their regulations so as to permit peaceful and constructive adaptation of street food vending to a new style of Latin American social life. This implies legal reorganization directed at structurally developing street food vending and permitting application of measures--especially provision and use of safe water--that will foster good hygiene and safe foods. It also implies creating programs to provide appropriate training for inspectors as well as health education for both vendors and consumers of street food; and it implies promoting and adopting improved methods for preparing and selling such food. There is no reason to suppose these measures will provide an immediate panacea for the street food vending problem; but there is good reason to think they can immensely improve the situation that exists today.

Veterinary public health: perspectives at the threshold of the 21st century.

Veterinary public health (VPH) is a term officially used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide a conceptual framework and programmatic structure for those public health activities which involve the application of knowledge, expertise and resources in veterinary medicine towards the protection and improvement of human health. It serves as the "linkage" between agriculture and public health. The principles on which VPH is based are deeply rooted in the biological, physical and social sciences, and are widely shared in agriculture, medicine and the environmental sciences. It involves not only veterinarians but also professionals from a host of other disciplines. VPH is dynamic in its scope and functions, and future perspectives are defined by the changing policy and priorities of the health and agriculture sectors. VPH continuously explores the horizons of public health needs for new opportunities in which veterinary medicine has a comparative advantage. The control and eradication of zoonoses and food protection remain the prominent functions of VPH. In the region of the Americas, VPH forms one of the central approaches in the strategic orientation and programme priorities of the health sector, having three strategic foci: the elimination of urban rabies, the eradication of foot and mouth disease, and food protection. The programme of technical cooperation covers the following components: zoonoses, foot and mouth disease, food protection, biomedical models, education and training in veterinary public health, and the development of veterinary public health services.

Community participation in veterinary public health and animal health in the Caribbean--results of a preliminary survey.

Veterinary public health and animal health activities are said to be a good entry point to get the community interested in their own health. Because of the pastoral traditions of veterinary medicine and the accompanying privilege of an intimate link with agricultural community life, veterinary public health and animal health workers are in and ideal strategic position to spearhead community organization and education across a much broader spectrum of health issues. A preliminary study on community participation in veterinary public health (VPH) and animal health (AH) in the Caribbean is herein presented. This study was conducted to pre-test two questionnaires which were developed to determine the extent to which the community is participating in VPH and AH programs in the Caribbean, and to identify ways and means to strengthen intersectoral collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Local Governments. Two questionnaires were designed to collect primary data. Eighty-two staff profile questionnaires were completed by staff belonging to six categories from 12 Caribbean countries and political units. The categories included Animal Health Assistants, Veterinary Public Health Assistants, Veterinarians, Extension Officers, Public Health Inspectors, and Artificial Insemination Officers. This questionnaire sought to obtain basic information on services provided, participation of staff in farmers organization, coordination between agencies, and training. Eighty-seven (87) farm profiles were completed by livestock farmers from eleven Caribbean countries and political units. This questionnaire sought to obtain basic information as to number and types of animals raised, role and services of Government staff, and farmers participation. Analysis of the different responses between the two groups demonstrated the potential value and application of the information that could be obtained from such a study. The results are discussed.

Persistence of pseudorabies virus in infected swine.

The persistence of pseudorabies virus (PRV) in pigs clinically recovered from the disease was detected by culture of tissue fragments. Weanling pigs were infected by intranasal instillation of 200,000 plaque-forming units of a strain of PRV isolated from sick pigs in Iowa, and virus was recovered from them 6 weeks to 13 months later. Tonsil, trigeminal ganglia, or pooled trigeminal ganglia and olfactory and optic nerve tissue were most consistently the source of virus. The tissue-fragment culture technique was compared with a co-culture technique for detection of virus in tissue specimens from the recovered pigs. Use of these procedures provided the means to detect PRV in pigs for periods longer than previously recognized.

The use of mebendazole in the treatment of Taenia saginata taeniasis in an endemic area in the Philippines.

The successful treatment of Taenia saginata taeniasis with mebendazole is herein reported. 41 subjects ascertained to have taeniasis based on the history of passage of gravid segments and positivity for Taenia egg were treated with 300 mg mebendazole b.i.d. for 3 days without need for fasting. No side-effects were observed. The drug acts as a taeniacide. The worms were expelled either as degenerated boluses or fragmented segments on the 2nd to the 4th day (Mean: 2.4 days) after the initial dose. 33 (84.6%) of the 41 subjects expelled the worm. A follow-up of all the subjects 2--3 months after treatment revealed that all those who expelled the worm following treatment and 6 of those who did not were negative for both Taenia egg and gravid segment, or a cure rate of 95%.

Serodiagnosis of human cysticercosis by microplate enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA).

The micro-ELISA described in this report is simple and can give objective results for the serodiagnosis of human cysticercosis. The visual assessment of results was satisfactory. The ELISA results showed a remarkably good correlation with IHA. It gave good reproudcibility. Cross-reactions were eliminated by using whole worm antigen instead of the cysticercus.

A comparative study of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in Filipino women.

A comparative study of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence among Filipino women is presented herein. A total of 288 women randomly drawn from various sources, including Social Hygiene clinics, Health Centers, and Family Planning Centers in the Metropolitan Manila Area were examined for T. vaginalis. Nineteen or (6.8%) were found positive either by wet mount or stained smear methods. Prevalence was significantly higher among the group of single than married women and five times higher among the waitress/hostess group than in the housewife/other group. Infection was related to parity and is significantly higher among nulliparous women. Likewise, a significant relationship was observed between prevalence of infection and gravidity. Prevalence decreases with increasing gravidity. No relationship in prevalence was observed between the use and non-use of contraceptives, and the method of contraceptive used. There was no significant association between the presence of the parasite and symptoms.

PIP: To study the Trichomonas vaginalis infection rate in the Philippines, 280 women were examined, by either wet mount or stained smear methods, in the greater Manilla area. chi-square with 1 degree of freedom=9.5). Among a waitress/hostess group the prevalence of infection was 5 times higher (15.2%) than in a housewife/other group designation (2.7%). Infection was related to parity and was significantly higher among nulliparous women (5/41 cases or 12.2%); prevalence decreased as parity increased. A similar significant relationship obtained between prevalence of infection and gravidity; here, prevalence decreased with increasing gravidity from 14.3% in nongravid women to 7.7% in gravida 1-2 women to 3.3% in gravida 3 and over women. No relationship was shown between use or nonuse of contraception and T. vaginalis infection prevalence. Although the prevalence was noted to be slightly higher among nonacceptors (7.4%) than acceptors (5.1%), the difference was not statistically significant. There was no relationship revealed between the type of contraceptive method used and presence of infection. Finally, no significant association was found between the presence of the parasite and symptoms.

Malaria in the Republic of the Philippines. A review.

Malaria in the Republic of the Philippines is caused principally by P. falciparum and P. vivax, with the former as predominant species. P. malariae is occasionally reported, while P. ovale is very rare and has been reported only in the island of Palawan. Malaria is widespread in distribution with prevalence varying from one area to the other. In 1970, the malaria morbidity rate was reported to be 77.6 per 100,000 while the mortality rate was 1.8 per 100,000. Case detection activities revealed that, in 1973, the slide parasite rate was 7.2%, the annual parasite index was 6.1% and the annual blood examination rate was 8.4%. The principal vector of malaria in the Philippines is An. minimus flavirostris which breeds in clear, fresh-water streams in foothills and mountain slopes. An. mangyanus and An. maculatus appear to play a secondary role. The vectorial capacity of the former appears to be confined only where conditions are primitive, while the latter is associated with malaria transmission in high altitudes. In the absence of fresh-water streams, the salt-water breeder mosquito, An. litoralis, assumes the vectorial role. The epidemiology of malaria in the Philippines is discussed. Emergence of strains of P. falciparum with diminished sensitivity to the commonly used antimalarial drugs is reported in Palawan and Rizal provinces. The development of malaria control activities in the Philippines are presented. As of 1972, Cagayan Valley, Palawan, Mindoro, Sulu and circumscribed areas in Mindanao are still considered hard-core malarious areas with on-going persistent transmission.