ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To understand the endemic status of echinococcosis in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. METHODS: The 2007-2013 survey data on hydatid disease prevention and control were collected from 8 counties/cities in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and analyzed. Ultrasound scanning was used to detect echinococcosis infection, ELISA was performed to detect anti-Echinococcus IgG in serum of children under 12 years, and double-antibody sandwich ELISA method was used to detect Echinococcus antigen in dog's feces. Visceral dissection was performed to examine hydatid infection in domestic ruminants. RESULTS: The prevalence of echinococcosis in residents was 225/100 000 (810/360 440), comprising 224/10 0000 (807/360 440) for cystic echinococcosis and 1/100 000(3/360 440) for alveolar echinococcosis. The prevalence was 2.3/100 000(340/151 280) in males and 2.3/100 000(470/209 160) in females, with no significant difference(χ(2)=6.41 ,P>0.05). Among different age populations, the 30-40 age group had the highest proportion (44.2%, 358/810) to all detected infections. Besides, the prevalence was the highest in herdsmen, followed by farmers. Echinococcosis was detected in 372 administrative villages in the Prefecture. The positive rate for serum anti-Echinococcus IgG was 4.0%(1 921/47 841) in children under 12 years. The positive rate for Echinococcus antigen in dog's feces was 5.5% (3 523/64 521). The rate of hydatid infection in domestic ruminants was 3.3% (1 148/35 134). After seven years' comprehensive control, the prevalence of echinococcosis in residents dropped from 440/100 000(97/21 938) in 2007 to 290/100 000 (160/55 954) in 2013 (χ(2)=11.69,P<0.05). The positive rate for serum anti-Echinococcus IgG in children also dropped from 7.9% (150/1 902) in 2007 to 2.1% (151/7 100) in 2013. Consistently, the positive rate for Echinococcus antigen in dog's feces dropped from 11.9% (335/2 819) in 2007 to 3.3%(466/13 608) in 2013 (X(2)= 338.52,P<0.05); and the rate of hydatid infection in domestic ruminants dropped from 8.8%(235/2 658) in 2007 to 1.5%(107/7 271) in 2013(χ(2)=317.86, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The control activities during 2007-2013 has shown significant achievements in reducing echinococcosis in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Adult , Animals , Animals, Domestic/parasitology , Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Child , Dogs , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/epidemiology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Epidemiological Monitoring , Farmers , Feces/parasitology , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Ruminants/parasitology , Tibet/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province since the implementation of the echinococcosis control project from Sepical Funds for Central Government Subsidies to Local Public Health (2007-2011). METHODS: Eight counties of Hezuo, Lintan, Zhuoni, Luqu, Maqu, Xiahe, Zhouqu, and Diebu were selected as survey sites. The prevalence in the sampled population was investigated by B ultrasound examination. Hydatid infection in children below 12 years old was serologically investigated by ELISA. The fecal samples from dogs were determined for Echinococcus infection by double antibody sandwich ELISA method. Livestock were dissected through slaughterhouse for pathological examination. Data of echinococcosis cases of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2007 to 2011 were collected from the National Infectious Diseases Reporting System, and statistically analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 and Epi info software. RESULTS: A total of 257 823 people received type B ultrasound examination in the 5 years. Five hundred eighty-one echinococcosis cases were found with an overall prevalence of 0.2%, including 578 cases of echinococcosis granulosus and 3 cases of echinococcosis multilocularis. The annual prevalence in the population decreased year by year, from 0.4% (97/21 938) in 2007 to 0.1% (68/63 980) in 2011 (P <0.05). Three hundred and six cases were officially reported to the National Infectious Diseases Reporting System during the period. Among those, female patients accounted for 58.2% (178/306) and male patients 41.8% (128/ 306). By occupation, more infection were found in herdsmen (82.0%, 251/306), followed by farmers (7.8%; 24/306). The cases were mainly distributed in the 20-60 year-old age group, with the highest prevalence in the group of 30-39 years (23.5%, 72/306). The sero-positive rate in children was 4.7% (1 571/33 613), which was highest in 2008 (8.4%, 413/4907), and lowest in 2010 (3.2%, 223/7 021) (P < 0.05). The mean positive rate of coproantigen in dogs was 6.3% (2 511/40 179), decreased from 11.9% (335/2 819) in 2007 to 6.3% (734/11 666) in 2011 (P < 0.05), with lowest positive rate in 2009 (3.7%, 354/9 550). The mean prevalence of livestock was 4.1% (914/22 087), decreased from 8.8% (235/2 658) in 2007 to 2.0% (144/7 347) in 2011 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Since the project implementation for echinococcosis control in 2007, the prevalence of hydatid desease in the population, the sero-positive rate in children, the positive rate of dog coproantigen, and the prevalence in livestock have been significantly decreased.