[Hydatidosis/echinococcosis in General Acha, La Pampa Province, Argentina]. / Hidatidosis/equinococosis en el área de General Acha, Provincia de la Pampa, Argentina.

Hydatidosis situation in the General Acha area (La Pampa Province) is described herein. The work comprises a retrospective compilacion of new hydatidosis human cases, the findings in seroepidemiological surveys with enzyme immuno assay (EIA) for hydatidosis in human population, and investigation on dog Echinococcus granulosus infection prevalence carried out on the basis of arecoline bromhydrate application. Sixteen human cases were detected during 1994 (incidence rate: 26.7/100,000), founding a serological prevalence of 1.3%. Studies on dog echinococosis have shown a prevalence rate of 2.3%. The epidemiological situation of hydatidosis is analyzed by comparison with values from other endemic areas. These results suggest the necessity of completing surveys in the whole provincial territory, and the implementation of educational and sanitary measures aimed to controlling this zoonosis.

Enterocutaneous fistulas following laparotomy for trauma.

Enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) are recognized complications of various bowel diseases. Trauma is reported as a rare cause of ECF. ECF following laparotomy for abdominal injury was studied in 15 patients to determine whether traditional principles of management for ECF are applicable in posttraumatic ECF. Thirty-three per cent of patients with posttraumatic ECF spontaneously healed fistulas with appropriate nutritional support without operative intervention. Sixty-six per cent of patients required operative intervention, either because of associated sepsis or failure to spontaneously heal. Five patients had fistulas originate from areas of bowel not injured in the initial injury. This study suggests traditional principles of management for ECF are applicable in ECF following laparotomy for abdominal injury and result in a spontaneous closure of fistulas in one-third of patients. In addition, sepsis is the main indication for early aggressive operative treatment of these fistulas.