Geospatial Modelling and Univariate Analysis of Commensal Rodent-Borne Cestodoses: The Case of Invasive spp. of Rattus and Indigenous Mastomys coucha From South Africa.

Poor socio-economic and unsanitary conditions are conducive to commensal rodent infestations, and these conditions are widespread in South Africa. Cestode species of zoonotic interest are highly prevalent in commensal rodents, such as invasive Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, Rattus tanezumi, and indigenous Mastomys coucha, and have been frequently recovered from human stool samples. These cestode species have similar transmission dynamics to traditional soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), which ties them to infections associated with poverty and poor sanitation. Univariate analysis was used in the present study to determine the association between rodent-related factors and cestode prevalence, while ecological niche modelling was used to infer the potential distribution of the cestode species in South Africa. Cestode prevalence was found to be associated with older rodents, but it was not significantly associated with sex, and ectoparasite presence. The predicted occurrence for rodent-borne cestodes predominantly coincided with large human settlements, typically associated with significant anthropogenic changes. In addition, cestode parasite occurrence was predicted to include areas both inland and along the coast. This is possibly related to the commensal behaviour of the rodent hosts. The study highlights the rodent-related factors associated with the prevalence of parasites in the host community, as well as the environmental variables associated with parasite infective stages that influence host exposure. The application of geospatial modelling together with univariate analysis to predict and explain rodent-borne parasite prevalence may be useful to inform management strategies for targeted interventions.

Diagnóstico de Inermicapsifer madagascariensis en dos niños / Diagnosis of Inermicapsifer madagascariensis in two children

Se presentan los casos de dos niños, hermanos, de los cuales se recibieron muestras de heces fecales en el laboratorio de microbiología del municipio Güines, provincia Mayabeque. Las muestras contenían minúsculos proglótides, que resultaron ser de Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. Luego del tratamiento con praziquantel 10 mg/kg en dosis única, orientado por el servicio de pediatría, se confirmó la expulsión de restos del parásito y la curación de dicha infección, tras resultados negativos por controles repetitivos de heces fecales durante seis meses. Se decide publicar estos raros casos diagnosticados y estimular estudios de campo que permitan completar el ciclo evolutivo de este parásito(AU)

We are presenting the cases of two sibling children, from whom samples of faeces were received in the microbiology laboratory of the Güines municipality, Mayabeque province. The samples contained tiny proglottids, which turned out to be from Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. After treatment with Praziquantel 10 mg/kg in a single dose, guided by the pediatric service, the expulsion of parasite remains and the cure of this infection were confirmed, after negative results due to repetitive controls of faecal stools for six months. It is decided to publish these rare diagnosed cases and stimulate field studies to complete the evolutionary cycle of this parasite(AU)

Intervención educativa al personal médico y paramédico sobre Inermicapsifer madagascariensis / Educational intervention to medical and paramedical personnel on Inermicapsifer madagascariensis

Se realiza una intervención educativa en el personal de salud de la provincia Guantánamo durante el mes de septiembre de 2013, con el objetivo de capacitar sobre aspectos esenciales del diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de la helmintiasis por Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. El universo de estudio estuvo formado por 10 tecnólogos de laboratorio, seis técnicos, ocho MGI y un decidor a los que se les aplicó una encuesta para determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. Se obtuvo que existía desconocimiento sobre el diagnóstico clínico-epidemiológico y de laboratorio. Se diseña e imparte un curso de posgrado y un plegable para elevar el nivel de conocimiento de esta parasitosis(AU)

An educational intervention is done in health personnel of this province during the month of September 2013, with the objective of training on key aspects of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of helminth Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. The study group consisted of 10 laboratory technologists, 6 technicians, 8 MGI and decidor those who were given a survey to determine the level of knowledge about Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. It was found that there was lack of knowledge about the clinical-epidemiological and laboratory diagnosis. It is designed and is received a graduate course and a folding to raise awareness of this parasitosis(AU)

Diagnóstico de Inermicapsifer madagascariensis en provincia Guantánamo / Diagnosis of Inermicapsifer madagascariensis in Guantanamo province

Se realiza una investigación en el Laboratorio de Microbiología del Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología con el objetivo de realizar el diagnóstico del Inermicapsifer madagascariensis en la provincia de Guantánamo en el período enero de 2010 a marzo de 2014. El universo de estudio está formado por 4 niños menores de 3 años. Las variables estudiadas son: grupo etario, sexo, condiciones de la vivienda, convivencia con animales y manifestaciones clínicas. Entre sus principales resultados se evidenció predominio de la raza blanca, convivencia en área rural, malas condiciones higiénico-sanitarias Se concluye que es una parasitosis poco frecuente por el desconocimiento en su diagnóstico clínico-epidemiológico y de laboratorio(AU)

An investigation is performed in the Laboratory of Microbiology hygiene at Provincial Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in order to diagnose the Inermicapsifer madagascariensis in Guantanamo province from January 2010 to March 2014. The studied group is presented by for 4 children under 3 years. The variables studied were the following: age group, gender, housing conditions, living with animals and clinical manifestations. Among its main results: the white race, living in rural areas, poor sanitary-hygienic conditions .As a conclusion, it is a rare desease with unknown diagnosis in the clinical-epidemiological lab(AU)

Inermicapsifer madagascariensis: presentación de tres casos / Inermicapsifer madagascariensis: report of three cases

Se diagnostican tres pacientes menores de 5 años con Inermecapsifer Madagascariensis en el Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología de Guantánamo. Su forma más común de presentación esla expulsión de fragmentos parecidos a granos de arroz en las hecesfecales. Se realizan exámenes microscópicos con el fin de diferenciar si se trataba de un grano de arroz o proglótides grávidos, comprimiéndolos entre láminas cubre y portaobjetos dejando salir un gran número de cápsulas oviferas que confirman su diagnóstico. Estas muestras se envían al laboratorio nacional de referencia Instituto Pedro Kourí que confirmó el diagnóstico (AU)