Differences in prevalence of geohelminth infections between indigenous and settler populations in a remote Amazonian region of Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To compare prevalences of intestinal helminths and waterborne protozoa in indigenous and settler populations in a remote area of Peru. These populations live in adjacent but segregated small urban villages. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from representative members of these two populations and analysed for geohelminths and protozoa. RESULTS: The risk of soil-transmitted helminths is significantly higher in the settler than the indigenous population in the same isolated region of Peru (OR 5.18; 95% CI 3.44-7.81; P < 0.001). In contrast, the rates of protozoa presence were similar in both populations (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.77-2.14; P = 0.336). CONCLUSIONS: Potential explanations for unexpected finding of a lower prevalence of helminths in indigenous relative to the settler population could include housing design in flood - prone areas and the use of local medicinal plants that possibly have antihelmintic properties.

Update on strongyloidiasis in the immunocompromised host.

Immunocompromised persons are the most vulnerable population at risk for developing life-threatening clinical syndromes associated with strongyloidiasis, such as hyperinfection syndrome (HS) or dissemination. This review focuses on describing Strongyloides infection in the immunocompromised host, including immune response against this infection, analyzing the cases with HS published during the past 4 years in the United States, and describing the most sensitive diagnostic tools and the most effective treatment for each clinical syndrome. Strongyloidiasis is becoming an important parasitic disease in the United States, especially in the immunocompromised immigrant population. Because the transplant population is particularly at risk for developing HS, both recipients and donors should be screened for Strongyloides. Clinicians should also be aware that the development of HS can follow unexpectedly a few days after appropriate anthelminthic therapy. Highly sensitive screening tests are still not available in the major tertiary medical centers. Parenteral ivermectin has been used in some severe cases. Further therapy developments and improving diagnostic tools are warranted.

Observational study on the effectiveness and safety of multiple regimens of triclabendazole in human fascioliasis after failure to standard-of-care regimens.

OBJECTIVES: Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is the recommended anthelmintic against Fasciola hepatica at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight administered as a single or double dose. However, treatment failures to TCBZ standard-of-care (SOC) doses have been reported in humans. The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness and tolerability of alternative TCBZ regimens in those patients who failed the SOC regimen for fascioliasis in Peru. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at a major referral centre for fascioliasis in Peru between 2002 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were cases with chronic F. hepatica infection who failed the SOC regimen for human fascioliasis with TCBZ at 10 mg/kg orally as single dose with food. RESULTS: A total of 27 cases (59% female; mean age 39.4 years, range 6-71 years) with chronic fascioliasis failed at least once the current SOC regimen of TCBZ. Of 27 cases, 21 failed a second treatment regimen. Multiple regimens of TCBZ were given to these patients until three consecutive stool examinations were negative for Fasciola eggs. The overall cure rate was 74%. TCBZ was well tolerated with minimal side effects. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, patients labelled as having 'TCBZ resistance' may respond to multiple regimens of TCBZ with a cure rate of 74%. Thus, the term 'TCBZ resistance' should be re-evaluated using biomarkers.

Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in Children from a Rural Community Taking Part in a Periodic Deworming Program in the Peruvian Amazon.

Children in the Peruvian Amazon Basin are at risk of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STH infection in children from a rural Amazonian community of Peru and to elucidate epidemiological risk factors associated with its perpetuation while on a school-based deworming program with mebendazole. Stool samples of children aged 2-14 years and their mothers were analyzed through direct smear analysis, Kato-Katz, spontaneous sedimentation in tube, Baermann's method, and agar plate culture. A questionnaire was administered to collect epidemiological information of interest. Among 124 children, 25.8% had one or more STH. Individual prevalence rates were as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides, 16.1%; Strongyloides stercoralis, 10.5%; hookworm, 1.6%; and Trichuris trichiura, (1.6%). The prevalence of common STH (A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworm) was higher among children aged 2-5 years than older children (31.6% versus 12.8%; P = 0.01). In terms of sanitation deficits, walking barefoot was significantly associated with STH infection (OR = 3.28; CI 95% = 1.11-12.07). Furthermore, STH-infected children more frequently had a mother who was concomitantly infected by STH than the non-STH-infected counterpart (36.4% versus 14.1%, P = 0.02). In conclusion, STH infection is highly prevalent in children from this Amazonian community despite routine deworming. Institutional health policies may include hygiene and sanitation improvements and screening/deworming of mothers to limit the dissemination of STH. Further studies are needed to address the social and epidemiological mechanics perpetuating these infections.

Use of ivermectin to treat an institutional outbreak of scabies in a low-resource setting.

In a limited-resource hospital in Lima, Peru, 23 (63.9%) of 36 healthcare workers developed pruritus and/or skin lesions after contact with a patient with classic scabies. Of these 23, a total of 5 healthcare workers had scabies confirmed by microscopy. Oral ivermectin was used to control the outbreak effectively.

C-arm as intraoperative control in reduction of isolated zygomatic arch fractures: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Isolated zygomatic arch fractures (IZAFs) are habitually reduced at a distance, via a temporal approach. Open reductions are not recommended due to the associated morbidity and complications. However, performing closed reductions makes it difficult to determine whether it was done satisfactorily. This study aims to determine whether the acquisition of intraoperative images with a C-arm to evaluate IZAF reductions is a useful technique in treating such fractures. METHODS: Our hypothesis is that acquiring intraoperative images with a C-arm reduces the need for a second surgery. Between 2009 and 2012, 50 patients who were diagnosed with IZAF requiring surgery were randomly distributed into two groups: 25 patients were in the experimental group, where fracture reduction was performed and immediately corroborated intraoperatively for an adequate result using a C-arm, and 25 patients were assigned to a control group where the fracture reduction was controlled with post-surgery imaging. RESULTS: The results did not reveal significant differences between both groups (p = 0.5). Nevertheless, the experimental group had the advantage of being able to immediately reduce the fracture again if the result was unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the results are not statistically significant (p = 0.5), the authors recommend undertaking an intraoperative imaging analysis in areas where we are not certain of the reduction.

Highly effective and inexpensive parasitological technique for diagnosis of intestinal parasites in developing countries: spontaneous sedimentation technique in tube.

Millions of low-income people in the world are affected by intestinal parasites. Inexpensive, simple, and effective techniques for diagnosis are necessary. The spontaneous sedimentation technique in tube (SSTT), for application in poor healthcare settings and under field-work conditions, was described 25 years ago in Peru by Tello. The advantages of the SSTT are its ability to detect the majority of intestinal parasites, including eggs, larvae, cysts, and trophozoites, and its low cost.

Diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in an Amazonic community of Peru using multiple diagnostic techniques.

An observational descriptive study was conducted in a Shipibo-Conibo/Ese'Eja community of the rainforest in Peru to compare the Kato-Katz method and the spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique (SSTT) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites as well as to report the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in this area. A total of 73 stool samples were collected and analysed by several parasitological techniques, including Kato-Katz, SSTT, modified Baermann technique (MBT), agar plate culture, Harada-Mori culture and the direct smear examination. Kato-Katz and SSTT had the same rate of detection for Ascaris lumbricoides (5%), Trichuris trichiura (5%), hookworm (14%) and Hymenolepis nana (26%). The detection rate for Strongyloides stercoralis larvae was 16% by SSTT and 0% by Kato-Katz, but 18% by agar plate culture and 16% by MBT. The SSTT also had the advantage of detecting multiple intestinal protozoa such as Blastocystis hominis (40%), Giardia intestinalis (29%) and Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (16%). The most common intestinal parasites found in this community were B. hominis, G. intestinalis, H. nana, S. stercoralis and hookworm. In conclusion, the SSTT is not inferior to Kato-Katz for the diagnosis of common STH infections but is largely superior for detecting intestinal protozoa and S. stercoralis larvae.

Uso de fluoroscopia intraoperatoria en el tratamiento de fracturas aisladas de arco cigomático. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Use of intraoperative fluoroscope in the treatment of isolated zygomatic arch fractures: a randomized clinical trial

Objetivo. La reducción de la fractura aislada de arco cigomático (FAAC) es, habitualmente, realizada a distancia mediante un abordaje temporal de Gillies. No se recomienda una reducción abierta por la gran morbilidad y complicaciones asociadas. Sin embargo, al realizar una reducción cerrada, es muy difícil precisar si fue satisfactoriamente realizada. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si la adquisición de imágenes intraoperatorias con un arco en C para evaluar la reducción de FAAC es una técnica útil en el tratamiento de dichas fracturas. Métodos. Nuestra hipótesis es que utilizar un arco en C para adquirir imágenes intraoperatorias reduce la necesidad de una segunda cirugía. Entre los años 2009 y 2012, 50 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con FAAC y que requerían tratamiento quirúrgico fueron distribuidos aleatorizadamente en 2 grupos: 25 pacientes en un grupo experimental en que se realizaba reducción de la fractura y corroboración inmediata de un adecuado resultado con arco en C intraoperatoriamente y 25 pacientes en un grupo control en que se realizaba reducción de la fractura con imagen de control posterior a la cirugía. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos (p=0,05). Sin embargo, existió la ventaja de poder reducir de nuevo la fractura inmediatamente si el resultado no era satisfactorio en el grupo experimental. Conclusión. A pesar de que los resultados no son estadísticamente significativos, los autores recomiendan realizar imágenes intraoperatorias en aquellas zonas de las que no se tiene certeza de la reducción (AU)

Purpose. Isolated zygomatic arch fractures (IZAF) are habitually reduced at a distance, via a temporal approach. Open reductions are not recommended due to the associated morbidity and complications. However, performing closed reductions makes it difficult to determine whether it was done satisfactorily. This study aims to determine whether the acquisition of intraoperative images with a C-arm to evaluate IZAF reductions is a useful technique in treating such fractures. Methods. Our hypothesis is that acquiring intraoperative images with a C-arm reduces the need for a second surgery. Between 2009-2012, 50 patients who were diagnosed with IZAF requiring surgery were randomly distributed into 2 groups: 25 patients in the experimental group, where fracture reduction was performed and immediately corroborated intraoperatively for an adequate result using a C-arm; 25 patients were assigned to a control group where the fracture reduction was controlled with post-surgery imaging. Results. The results did not reveal significant differences between both groups (P=.05). Nevertheless, the experimental group had the advantage of being able to immediately reduce the fracture again if the result was unsatisfactory. Conclusions. Despite the fact that the results are not statistically significant, the authors recommend undertaking an intraoperative imaging analysis in areas where we are not certain of the reduction (AU)

The Imaging Appearance of Sinus Mycetoma: A Case Series / El Aspecto Imagenológico del Micetoma Sinusal: Serie de Casos

Sinus mycetoma is a dense accumulation of hyphae that form a rounded mass within the mucosal confines of a paranasal sinus. The aim of this study was to present a case series of three patients with maxillary sinus mycetoma and to describe their radiographic presentations. Three cases are presented. The first two, a 44-year-old woman and an 88 year-old man, both diabetics, were referred to maxillofacial treatment by other specialties. They both had a bad odor of unknown origin on the facial level and their respective computerized tomographies revealed a unilateral opacification of the maxillary sinus with a region of greater radio-opacity. The third case is a 31-year-old woman with a history of a severe facial trauma who had undergone surgery and for whom orthognathic surgery had been planned to correct side effects. In addition to the orthognathic surgery, the removal of the lesion that appeared opacified in the pre-surgery scan was planned. She showed opacification of the maxillary sinus and during the intraoperative stage, tissue of a whitish-gray appearance was detected on the maxillary sinus. The lesion was completely removed and the result of the histopathological study was sinus mycetoma. The patients evolved favorably and the symptomatology disappeared completely. The growing occurrence of mycetoma and the lack of information on it make publicizing this pathology fundamental so it can be considered as a differential imaging, clinical, and pathological diagnosis and in that way receive adequate and opportune treatment.

El micetoma sinusal es una patología de origen fúngico, que afecta a pacientes inmunocomprometidos, capaz de desorientar en su diagnóstico por su clínica y expresión imagenológica particular. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar una serie de tres casos con micetoma en el seno maxilar y describir su presentación imagenológica. Se presentan tres casos. Los dos primeros, una mujer de 44 años y un hombre de 88 años, ambos diabéticos y derivados a atención maxilofacial por otras especialidades. Coincidía un mal olor expelido de origen desconocido a nivel facial y en sus respectivas tomografías computarizadas se observó velamiento unilateral del seno maxilar con una zona de mayor hiperdensidad. El tercer caso corresponde a una mujer de 31 años con antecedente de trauma facial severo operado, a la cual se le planificó cirugía ortognática para corregir secuelas. En conjunto con la cirugía ortognática, se planificó la biopsia excisional de una lesión hiperdensa que se presentó en el escáner pre-quirúrgico; en el intraoperatorio se pesquisó tejido de aspecto blanquecino grisáceo en el seno maxilar. A todos los pacientes se les realizó la exéresis total de la lesión y el estudio histopatológico dio como resultado micetoma sinusal. Los pacientes evolucionaron favorablemente, desapareciendo por completo la sintomatología. La creciente incidencia del micetoma y el desconocimiento sobre el mismo hacen que sea fundamental la difusión de esta patología para ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial clínico y patológico, y realizar así un tratamiento adecuado y oportuno.

Fracturas faciales en un centro de referencia de traumatismos nivel I. Estudio descriptivo / Facial fractures in a Chilean trauma center. A descriptive study

Objetivo: Recopilar información del traumatismo maxilofacial, específicamente en pacientes adultos, en el periodo de 3 años en un centro chileno de referencia de traumatismos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en todos los casos de fracturas faciales que asistieron al Servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad C.Ch.C., Santiago de Chile, en el periodo de 3 años (enero de 2009-diciembre de 2011). Fueron analizadas las variables y distribución de género, edad, tipo, frecuencia de cada fractura y causa del traumatismo. Resultados: La población estudiada consistió en 283 pacientes, 259 (91,5%) hombres y 24 (8,5%) mujeres con un promedio de edad de 40,5 (SD: ± 20,5) años. En 499 sitios de fractura las fracturas cigomáticas fueron la localización más prevalente en ambos géneros (48%), seguidas de las fracturas orbitarias (27,2%) y en tercer lugar las fracturas mandibulares (21,2%). La parte de la cara más afectada fue el tercio medio. Los traumatismos por accidente de tránsito fueron la causa más común (39,2%); la gran mayoría de estos fueron por accidente automovilístico. Discusión: Los resultados mostrados en este artículo están en línea con la literatura, y el análisis de este reporte provee importante información para el diseño de planes de prevención de riesgos, especialmente para desarrollar medidas en el área del tránsito (AU)

Objectives: The aim of the present descriptive study was to record data on maxillofacial trauma in working adults in a 3 year-period in a reference trauma center in Chile. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted on cases of maxillofacial fractures treated in the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of the Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad, Santiago de Chile, over a 3-year period. Frequency, type and cause of injury, as well as age and gender distribution were analyzed. Results: The study population consisted of 283 patients, 259 (91.5%) males and 24 (8.5%) females with a mean age of 40.5 (SD: ± 20.5) years. In 499 fracture sites Zygomatic fractures were the most prevalent location of the 499 fracture sites, in both males and females (48%), followed by orbital fractures (27.2%), and jaw fractures (21.2%). The most common affected part of the face was isolated mid-facial fractures. Traffic-accident-related fractures were the most common cause (39.2%), with the largest proportion of these involving a car accident. Discussion: The results presented are in line with other studies and the analysis of this report provides important data for the design of plans for injury prevention, especially for measures in road traffic (AU)

[Spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique (SSTT) for diagnosis of intestinal parasites]. / Técnica de sedimentación en tubo de alta sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de Parásitos intestinales.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the Spontaneous Sedimentation in Tube Technique (SSTT) described by Tello, in comparison with the direct smear and other concentration techniques, when it is used to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in field and laboratory studies in rural areas of the Andean Region. METHODS: A prospective study (2000-2004) was carried out including 1 802 fecal samples from several areas around Peru: Iquitos (N = 74), Puno (N = 399), Junín (N = 1241), Lima (N = 88). RESULTS: SSTT showed more sensitivity to detect helminthes and protozoa in comparison to other conventional techniques carried out simultaneously (P;0.000). Although Baermann Technique and Lumbrera's Rapid Sedimentation Technique are crucial for Strongyloides larvae and Fasciola eggs detection, respectively; SSTT contributes to an effective and timely diagnosis of the intestinal parasites. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its low cost, easy reproducibility and adaptability both in the laboratory and field work, it should be mandatory and urgent its implementation in laboratories from rural areas, as well as training of the staff involved in the diagnosis, as first step in the fight against intestinal parasites in Peru.

Molecular diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis in faecal samples using real-time PCR.

A real-time PCR method targeting the small subunit of the rRNA gene was developed for the detection of Strongyloides stercoralis DNA in faecal samples, including an internal control to detect inhibition of the amplification process. The assay was performed on a range of well-defined control samples (n=145), known positive faecal samples (n=38) and faecal samples from a region in northern Ghana where S. stercoralis infections are highly endemic (n=212), and achieved 100% specificity and high sensitivity. The use of this assay could facilitate monitoring the prevalence and intensity of S. stercoralis infections during helminth intervention programs. Moreover, the use of this assay in diagnostic laboratories could make the introduction of molecular diagnostics feasible in the routine diagnosis of S. stercoralis infections, with a two-fold increase in the detection rate as compared with the commonly used Baermann sedimentation method.

[Hyperendemic and mesoendemic zones of Fasciola infection surrounding urban Lima : an emerging disease?]. / Zonas hiperendémicas y mesoendémicas de la infección por Fasciola hepática aledañas a la ciudad de Lima: una enfermedad emergente?

INTRODUCTION: The infection caused by F. hepatica is endemic in Perú with an increasing number of endemic areas, the reporting of them is essential to know the impact of the infection in the population. OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence rate of fascioliasis in areas where it had not been detected human cases previously. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three districts in Lima department were studied; La Chaqui, province of Canta; San Lorenzo of Quinti and San Miguel of Sangallaya, province of Huarochirí. It included children and young adults (less than 25 years old). One stool sample by person was collected and processed by means of the Rapid Sedimentation Technique described by Lumbreras. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence rate in the three districts was 8.6% (n=291); 3.9% (n=102) in La Chaqui, 26.9% (n=27) in San Miguel of Sangallaya, and 8.6% (n=163) in San Lorenzo of Quinti. CONCLUSION: F. hepatica infection is a Health Public problem in populations surrounding Lima city. Therefore, control and prevention measurements, besides being addressed to authochtonus people, should also take into account high-risk groups such as frequent travelers to endemic areas and people with dietetic programs based on raw vegetables.

[Thiabendazole for the control of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a hyperendemic area in Peru]. / Tiabendazol para el control de la infección por Strongyloides stercoralis en una zona hiperendémica en el Perú.

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a disease caused by an intestinal parasite. This helminth is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. The preferred treatment is ivermectin, and thiabendazole as a second option available in certain Peruvian institutions. The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of thiabendazole (25 mg/kg/day) administered twice a day (after meals) for three days in individuals with S. stercoralis chronic infection. The study was conducted at Hospital de La Merced, Province of Chanchamayo, Peru (endemic area), during a 90 day period. The study included 32 individuals (22 female and 10 male, average age +/- SD = 9.31 +/- 8.11 years) with a diagnosed S. stercoralis infection. Follow up tests were eosinophil count, hematocrit, agar plate feces culture, and Baermann technique modified by Lumbreras. Healing rate was 90.6%. The average eosinophil count in healed patients significantly decreased (1168 to 665 eosinophils/cc, p=0.006) as compared to the treatment failure group, which showed a slight increase (618 to 897 eosinophils/cc, p=0.125). Hematocrit increased in both groups (2% and 3%, respectively). Adverse effects were headache, dizziness, and epigastralgia in 6.2% of individuals. It was concluded that the studied scheme showed a high effectiveness rate and was well tolerated. Therefore this scheme may be taken into account for control programs of this parasite in hyperendemic areas.

Técnica de sedimentación en tubo de alta sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de 305 parásitos intestinales / Spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique (SSTT) for diagnosis of intestinal parasites

OBJETIVO. El objetivo de este estudio fue medir la eficacia diagnóstica de la técnica de sedimentación espontánea en tubo descrita por Tello (TSET), en comparación con el examen directo y otras técnicas de concentración, cuando se usa para determinar la prevalenciade enteroparasitosis en trabajos de campo y laboratorio en zonas rurales de la sierra y selvas peruanas.METODOS. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo (2000 û 2004) donde se incluyeron 1 802 muestrasde heces de diversas zonas del Perú: Iquitos (N=74), Puno (N=399), Junín (N=1241), Lima (N=88). RESULTADOS. La TSET presentó mayor sensibilidad para la detección de helmintos y protozoarios en comparación con las otras técnicas convencionales empleadas simultáneamente (P<0.000). Aunque no se debe prescindir de otras técnicas coprológicas, como Baermann para diagnóstico de Strongyloides stercoralis y la Técnica de Sedimentación Rápida de Lumbreras (TSR) para Fasciola hepatica, la TSET contribuye a un diagnóstico eficaz y oportuno de las enteroparasitosis. CONCLUSIONES. Debido a su bajo costo, fácil ejecución y adaptabilidad en la realización,tanto en el trabajo dentro de laboratorios como en los trabajos de campo, se constituye en un hecho de necesidad urgente su implementación en los laboratorios de áreas rurales, asícomo la capacitación del personal de salud encargado del diagnóstico, como un primer paso en la lucha contra la parasitosis intestinal en el Perú.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the Spontaneous Sedimentation in Tube Technique (SSTT) described by Tello, in comparison with thedirect smear and other concentration techniques, when it is used to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in field and laboratory studies in rural areas of the Andean Region. METHODS. A prospective study (2000 û 2004) was carried out including 1 802 fecal samplesfrom several areas around Peru: Iquitos (N=74), Puno (N=399), Junín (N=1241), Lima (N=88). RESULTS. SSTT showed more sensitivity to detect helminthes and protozoa in comparisonto other conventional techniques carried out simultaneously (P;0.000). Although Baermann Technique and LumbreraÆs Rapid Sedimentation Technique are crucial for Strongyloides larvae and Fasciola eggs detection, respectively; SSTT contributes to an effective andtimely diagnosis of the intestinal parasites. CONCLUSIONS. Due to its low cost, easy reproducibility and adaptability both in the laboratoryand field work, it should be mandatory and urgent its implementation in laboratories from rural areas, as well as training of the staff involved in the diagnosis, as first step in the fightagainst intestinal parasites in Peru.

Zonas hiperendémicas y mesoendémicas de la infección por fasciola hepática aledañas a la ciudad de Lima: una enfermedad emergente? / Hyperendemic and mesoendemic zones of the infection by hepatic fasciola bordering to the city of Lima: an emergent disease?

Introducción: La infección causada por F. hepática es endémica en el Perú con un creciente número de áreas endémicas, el reporte de estas es esencial para conocer el impacto de la infección en la población. Objetivo: Reportar la tasa de prevalencia de fasciolosis en zonas donde previamente no se habían detectado casos humanos. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 3 distritos alrededor de la ciudad de Lima: La Chaqui, provincia de Canta; San Lorenzo de Quinti y San Miguel de Sangallaya, provincia de Huarochirí, pertenecientes al departamento de Lima. Se incluyó a niños y adultos jóvenes (menores de 25 años). Cada muestra de heces se analizó mediante la Técnica de Sedimentación Rápida de Lumbreras. Resultados: La prevalencia global por métodos coprológicos en los tres distritos fue 8.6 por ciento (n=291); 3.9 por ciento (n=102) en La Chaqui, 26.9 por ciento (n=27) en San Miguel de Sangallaya, y 8.6 por ciento (n=163) en San Lorenzo de Quinti. Conclusión: La infección por F. hepática infection es un problema de Salud Pública en pueblos alrededor de la ciudad de Lima. Por lo tanto, las medidas de control y prevención, a parte de ser dirigidas a pobladores autóctono, deben tomar en cuenta grupos de alto riesgo como viajeros frecuentes y personas con regímenes dietéticos basados en vegetales crudos.

Introduction: The infection caused by F. hepatica is endemic in Perú with anincreasing number of endemic areas, the reporting of them is essential to know the impact of the infection in the population. OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence rate of fascioliasis in areas where it had not been detected human cases previously. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three districts in Lima department were studied; La Chaqui,province of Canta; San Lorenzo of Quinti and San Miguel of Sangallaya, province of Huarochirí. It included children and young adults (less than 25 years old). One stool sample by person was collected and processed by means of the Rapid Sedimentation Technique described by Lumbreras. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence rate in the three districts was 8.6 per cent (n=291); 3.9 per cent (n=102) in La Chaqui, 26.9 per cent (n=27) in San Miguel of Sangallaya, and 8.6 per cent (n=163) inSan Lorenzo of Quinti. CONCLUSION: F. hepatica infection is a Health Public problem in populations surrounding Lima city. Therefore, control and prevention measurements, besides being addressed to authoctonus people, should also take into account high-risk groups such as frequent travelers to endemic areas and people with dietetic programs based on raw vegetables.

Tiabendazol para el control de la infección por Strongyloides stercoralis en una zona hiperendémica en el Perú / Tiabendazole for the control of the infection by Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a hyperendemic area in Peru

La estrongiloidiosis es una enfermedad parasitaria intestinal causada por S. stercoralis, un nemátode geohelmíntico altamente prevalente en zonas tropicales y subtropicales. El tratamiento de elección actual es ivermectina, y como segunda alternativa el tiabendazol disponible en algunas instituciones de salud en el Perú. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia y tolerabilidad de tiabendazol (25 mg/kg/día) repartido dos veces al día después de las comidas por 3 días, en individuos con infección crónica por S. stercoralis. El estudio fue llevado a cabo en el Hospital de La Merced, provincia de Chanchamayo, Perú (zona endémica); en un periodo de 90 días. El estudio incluyó a 32 individuos (22 mujeres - 10 hombres; media de edad más menos DS = 9.34 más menos 8.11 años) con diagnóstico parasitológico de S. stercoralis. Los exámenes de seguimiento fueron recuentos de eosinófilos, hematocrito, cultivo de heces en placas de agar nutritivo y Método de Baermann en Copa (técnica modificada por Lumbreras). La tasa de curación fue de 90.6 por ciento. La media de eosinófilos en los pacientes curados disminuyó significativamente (1168 a 665 eosinófilos/cc, p=0.006) en comparación con el grupo de pacientes que fracasaron al tratamiento cuya media de eosinófilos tuvo un ligero aumento (61 a 897 eosinófilos/cc, p=0.125). En ambos grupos, el hematocrito aumentó entre 2 por ciento y 3 por ciento. Los efectos adversos fueron cefalea, mareos y epigastralgia en el 6.2 por ciento de los pacientes. Concluimos que el esquema evaluado tiene una alta tasa de efectividad y fue bien tolerado, y podría ser tomado en cuenta en programas de control para zonas hiperendémicas de este parásito.

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a disease caused by an intestinal parasite. This helminth is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. The preferred treatment is ivermectin, and tiabendazole as a second option available in certain Peruvian institutions. The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of tiabendazole (25 mg/kg/day) administered twice a day (after meals) for three days in individuals with S. stercoralis chronic infection. The study was conducted at Hospital de La Merced, Province of Chanchamayo, Peru (endemic area), during a 90 day period. The study included 32 individuals (22 female and 10 male, average age ± SD = 9.31 ± 8.11 years) with a diagnosed S. stercoralis infection. Follow up tests were eosinophil count, hematocrit, agar plate feces culture, and Baermann technique modified by Lumbreras. Healing rate was 90.6 per cent. The average eosinophil count in healed patients significantly decreased (1168 to 665 eosinophils/cc, p=0.006) as compared to the treatment failure group, which showed a slight increase (618 to 897 eosinophils/cc, p=0.125). Hematocrit increased in both groups (2% and 3%, respectively). Adverse effects were headache, dizziness, andepigastralgia in 6.2 per cent of individuals. It was concluded that the studied scheme showed a high effectiveness rate and was well tolerated. Therefore this scheme maybe taken into account for control programs of this parasite in hyperendemic areas.