Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a lethal parasitic disease. In Gansu Province of China, all AE cases reported in literature were from Zhang and Min Counties, the southern part of the province. Here, we report the discovery of nine AE cases and one cystic echinococcosis (CE) case from Nanfeng Town of Minle County, in the middle of Hexi Corridor in west Gansu Province. The diagnosis of these cases were confirmed by serology, histopathology, computed tomography, B-ultrasound, immunohistochemistry method, DNA polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. Because eight of nine AE cases came from First Zhanglianzhuang (FZLZ) village, we conducted preliminary epidemiological analyses of 730 persons on domestic water, community and ecology such as 356 dogs’ faeces of FZLZ, in comparison with those of other five villages surrounding FZLZ. Our studies indicate that Nanfeng Town of Minle County is a newly discovered focus of AE in China as a CE and AE co-epidemic area. Further research of Echinococcus multilocularis transmission pattern in the area should be carried for prevention of this parasitic disease.
Highlights
Echinococcosis is a worldwide, serious zoonosis caused by the larval stages of tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus
The study was undertaken in six villages including First Zhanglianzhuang (FZLZ), Second Zhanglianzhuang (SZLZ), Hezhuang (HZ), Qinzhuang (QZ), Yudai (YD), and Chaomianzhuang (CMZ) which lie in Nanfeng Town of south Minle County (Fig 1), about 900 kilometers away from Zhang County of south Gansu Province
Nine Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cases and one cystic echinococcosis (CE) case were found in the area
Summary
Echinococcosis is a worldwide, serious zoonosis caused by the larval stages of tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. Four species of Echinococcus (E. granulosus, E. multilocularis, E. vogeli, E. oligarthrus) are known to be pathogenic and of public health concern [1,2]. Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a serious disease in humans and animals, is caused by E. multilocularis, and was found many years ago [3]. The metacestode larvae of E. multilocularis are an infiltrating structure consisting of many small vesicles embedded in the stroma of PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0132731. A Newly Discovered Area of Echinococcus multilocularis in China connective tissue. The larvae grow in the liver as a result of the invasion of the surrounding tissues, and are more hazardous than cystic echinococcosis (CE). Diagnosis of AE is supported by the results from imaging studies, histopathology, nucleic acid detection and serology [1,6]
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