RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Amphimerus sp. is a liver fluke which recently has been shown to have a high prevalence of infection among an indigenous group, Chachi, who reside in a tropical rainforest in the northwestern region of Ecuador. Since it is unknown which animals can act as a reservoir and/or definitive hosts for Amphimerus sp. in this endemic area, a study was done to determine the prevalence of infection in domestic cats and dogs. This information is important to understand the epidemiology, life cycle and control of this parasite. METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS: In July 2012, three Chachi communities located on Rio Cayapas, province of Esmeraldas, were surveyed. A total of 89 of the 109 registered households participated in the study. Of the 27 cats and 43 dogs found residing in the communities, stool samples were collected from 14 cats and 31 dogs (total of 45 animals) and examined microscopically for the presence of Amphimerus eggs. The prevalence of infection was 71.4% in cats and 38.7% in dogs, with similar rates of infection in all three communities. Significantly more cats were infected than dogs (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The data show a high rate of Amphimerus sp. infection in domestic cats and dogs residing in Chachi communities. It can be concluded that these animals act as definitive and reservoir hosts for this liver fluke and that amphimeriasis is a zoonotic disease. These findings provide important epidemiological data which will aid in the development and implementation of control strategies against the transmission of Amphimerus.
Assuntos
Doenças do Gato/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Hepatopatias Parasitárias/veterinária , Opisthorchidae/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterinária , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Animais , Gatos , Cães , Equador/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hepatopatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Prevalência , Infecções por Trematódeos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Chagas disease, primarily spread in Bolivia by the vector Triatoma Infestans, persists as an important public health problem. Preventative insecticide campaigns target spraying on the basis of anecdotal evidence and there is a need for an accurate classification score to correctly identify 'at risk' houses. Data were collected from 337 households on 11 variables through the use of a standardised questionnaire and survey. Risk factors for infestation were identified and a risk score was developed and validated on a separate cohort of 165 houses. Five significant risk factors were identified: cracks in the walls of houses; adobe walls; junk in the peridomiciliary area; no insecticide spraying in the previous two years; and freely ranging animals. A risk score was generated and then calculated for each house. Three risk categories were defined: low, medium and high risk. In the development cohort the infestation rates were 2%, 18% and 69% respectively. The corresponding infestation rates in the validation cohort were 7%, 30% and 75% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for this test were 81% and 84% and the positive predictive and negative predictive values were 71% and 90%. The risk score developed could be used to inform decision making in underfunded multilateral preventative initiatives.