Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco.

INTRODUCTION: In 2013 a coproparasitological survey was carried out in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to investigate on possible infection drivers through a questionnaire interview. METHODOLOGY: Faecal samples were examined by microscopy. Samples positive for Entamoeba histolytica complex and Blastocystis were molecularly examined to identify the species/subtypes involved. RESULTS: The overall infection rate was 86%, identical in both communities and mostly due to protozoa. Soil-transmitted helminths were detected in <3% of children and adults. DISCUSSION: The protozoa detected, including Blastocystis subtypes, indicate faecal contamination of the environment by both humans (as confirmed by the presence of Hymenolepis nana) and animals. Nested-PCR identified E. histolytica, thus signalling the possible occurrence of invasive amoebosis. Lack of safe water, environmental contamination, poor sanitation and hygiene, shared by both communities, are the main drivers of IPIs. In addition, unlike gender and socioeconomic factors, childhood (only for some species), crowding and cohabitation with animals proved to be further significant protozoon infection risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need for the promotion of access to clean water, improved sanitation and better hygiene, thus reducing the frequency of preventive chemotherapy for STHs while continuing to monitor the population for possible recrudescence.

Perfil clínico epidemiológico de infección por hantavirus en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, periodo 1996 – 2009 / Clinical epidemiological profile hantavirus infection the Buenos Aires province, Argentina, during 1996-2009

Introducción: La infección denominada hantavirus es considerada una zoonosis viral. Se han identificado más de 21 especies en todo el mundo, transmitidas por diferentes roedores, que son su reservorio natural. Argentina hasta el año 2004 fue el país con mayor incidencia en América del Sur siendo Buenos Aires una de las provincias de mayor incidencia del país. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar las variables clínico-epidemiológicas de la enfermedad en la Provincia de Buenos Aires analizando la serie histórica de 14 años (1996-2009). Material y método: Se analizaron 704 fichas de notificación clínica-epidemiológica. La detección serológica de anticuerpos se realizó mediante Elisa. Las variables estudiadas fueron sexo, edad, residencia según partido y región sanitaria, semana epidemiológica (SE), tasa de incidencia y letalidad, evolución clínica y la presencia de diferentes síndromes. Resultados: 622 casos (88.3 por ciento) presentaron estudio de laboratorio serológico, siendo 291 los casos (46.8 por ciento) positivos o confirmados con IgM. Analizando la evolución clínica, (194 pacientes con dato, 67 por ciento) 112 pacientes curaron y 79 fallecieron. La edad promedio de pacientes fallecidos fue de 33 años. La letalidad para cada síndrome fue: gripal 39.9 por ciento, respiratorio 42.1 por ciento con el, renal 43.9 por ciento, hepático 38.5 por ciento, neurológico 57.1 por ciento y hematológico 40 por ciento. El estudio resulta un aporte al conocimiento de la prevalencia del perfil clínico epidemiológico del hantavirus en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction: Hantavirus infection is considered a viral zoonosis. More than 21 species have been indentified throughout the world, transmitted by different rodents, which are its natural reservoir. Until 2004, Argentina was the country with the highest incidence in South America, Buenos Aires being one of the provinces with the highest incidence in the country. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and epidemiological variables of the disease in the Buenos Aires Province, analyzing 14 years of historical trends (1996-2009). Materials and methods: 704 clinical-epidemiological notifications were analyzed. Serological detection of antibodies was carried out using ELISA. The variables studied were sex, age, residence according to health system district, epidemiological week (EW), incidence rate, lethality, clinical evolution, and the presence of different syndromes. Results: 622 cases (88.3 percent) had a laboratory serological report, 291 (46.8 percent) of those being positive cases or those confirmed with IgM. Analyzing clinical evolution, (194 patients included this data, 67 percent) 112 patients were cured y 79 died. The average age of deceased patients was 33 years. Lethality for each syndrome was: influenza 39.9 percent, respiratory 42.1 percent, renal 43.9 percent, hepatic 38.5 per cent, neurological 57.1 percent y hematological 40 per cent. This study contributes to knowledge of the clinical epidemiological profile of hantavirus in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.