Ecoepidemiology of Ancylostoma spp. in Urban-Marginal and Rural Sectors of the Ecuadorian Coast and Prevalence of Cutaneous Larvae Migrans.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Ancylostoma spp., including A. duodenale, A. braziliense, A. caninum, and A. ceylanicum, are hookworms that are transmitted from infected soil and by contact with domestic animals and rodent hosts, and can cause systemic disease and cutaneous larva migrans. The objective of this study was to describe the ecoepidemiology of Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma spp. in urban-marginal sectors and in rural sectors located in Ecuador. MATERIAL AND METHODS Through addressed sampling, a total of 498 domestic dogs and 40 synanthropic rodents were analyzed via the following coproparasitic methods: direct, flotation, sedimentation with centrifugation using saline (egg identification), modified Baermann (larval identification), and morphometric methods (confirmation). A total of 236 people were surveyed, and a clinical analysis was performed via physical examination. The environmental variables were obtained through reports from the INAMHI of Ecuador and the use of online environmental programs. Through surveys, data related to social determinants were obtained. Epidemiological indicators (prevalence, morbidity, and mortality) were obtained through microbial analysis and surveys. RESULTS A total of 250 domestic dogs were diagnosed with Ancylostoma caninum (50, 20%), and 41 were diagnosed with Ancylostoma spp. (8.23%). One synanthropic rodent (2.5%) was positive for A. caninum. In the clinical analysis, 3 patients were identified as positive (1.27%) for cutaneous larva migrans (CLM). Likewise, environmental variables and social determinants influence the transmission, prevalence, and nature of parasitism by hookworm. CONCLUSIONS People, domestic dogs, and rodents were infected with these parasites. Consequently, there is a risk of ancylostomiasis and cutaneous larvae migrans spreading.