Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus is endemic in the Magallanes region and other areas of Chile. After a successful control programme implemented between 1979 and 2004, dogs’ prevalence decreased from 70% to 0.5%. Since the end of the programme, no prevalence study of canine echinococcosis has been performed in this region. Dog faecal samples were collected from epidemiological units for DNA isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect E. granulosus. In addition, dog owners were required to answer a questionnaire for a risk factor analysis. We collected 1069 environmental dog faecal samples from 267 urban, 241 periurban, and 61 rural epidemiological units. E. granulosus was found in 11/61 (18%) and 1/241 (0.4%) epidemiological units from rural and periurban areas, respectively. The Ultima Esperanza province showed the highest prevalence with eight out of 16 units with faeces positive to E. granulosus showing a main spatial cluster of canine echinococcosis. None of the risk factors investigated showed a statistical significance with positive units. This study shows the active transmission of the parasite in the Magallanes region, especially in the Ultima Esperanza province, with a possible re-emergence of the parasite. Further studies focusing on the incidence in humans are required together with the reestablishment of the compulsory deworming of dogs.
Highlights
Published: 4 November 2021Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, remains a significant health problem in Chile [1,2]
1069 environmental dog faecal samples were collected from 569 epidemiological units, including the extra 5% mentioned in the materials and methods section
Magallanes region and number of units where E. granulosus s.s. was found in environmental dog faecal samples
Summary
Published: 4 November 2021Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, remains a significant health problem in Chile [1,2]. It is known that under-reporting of CE occurs in Chile [3], as in other endemic countries [4]; the actual incidence of CE is expected to be higher. CE produces losses estimated at USD 3.13 M per year in Chile [3]. The infection with E. granulosus in livestock represents the second most important cause of condemnation of viscera at official abattoirs after Fasciola hepatica [5], causing losses estimated between USD. The Magallanes region ( known as XII region in previous reviews concerning the control of E. granulosus [7,8]) is the southernmost, the largest (132,291 km2 ) and the second least populated region in the country, with 165,593 inhabitants. E. granulosus is highly endemic in the Magallanes region; in 1979, the prevalence for E. granulosus was around 60%
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