Toxocara Seroprevalence and Risk Factor Analysis in Four Communities of the Wiwa, an Indigenous Tribe in Colombia.

Patrick Waindok,Simone Kann,Juan Carlos Dib,Andrés Aristizabal,Christina Strube

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9081768

Abstract

The life of the indigenous Wiwa tribe in northeast Colombia is characterized by lacking access to clean drinking water and sanitary installations. Furthermore, free-roaming domestic animals and use of yucca and/or manioc as a primary food source favor the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths, e.g., Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, the roundworms of dogs and cats. Infection may result in the clinical picture of toxocarosis, one of the most common zoonotic helminthoses worldwide. To estimate the Toxocara seroprevalence in four different villages of the Wiwa community, serum samples from 483 inhabitants were analyzed for anti-Toxocara-antibodies. Overall, 79.3% (383/483) of analyzed samples were seropositive. Statistically significant differences were observed between the four villages, as well as age groups (adults > adolescents > children), while sex had no effect. The high seropositivity rate demonstrates the risk of zoonotic roundworm infections and potential clinical disease in vulnerable indigenous inhabitants.

Highlights

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the northeast of Colombia presents a great variety of climates and tropical ecosystems within a relatively small area
Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 79.3% of the 483 analyzed samples, and in
As tropical and subtropical conditions with year-round temperatures of >18 ◦ C, high precipitation, and high humidity favor the survival of Toxocara eggs, soil contamination rates are elevated at lower latitudes (0–20◦ ) compared to higher ones (41–60◦ ) [22]

Summary

Introduction

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the northeast of Colombia presents a great variety of climates and tropical ecosystems within a relatively small area. Parts of the population moved to higher areas of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, where the Wiwas live a secluded life, with a deep-rooted cultural and spiritual identity with the nature and wildlife surrounding them. Despite growing modernization and tourism in the territory, the Wiwa community strive to keep their ancient culture alive [2].

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Conclusion