RESUMO
Objective: To understand dog fecal contamination by Echinococcus in Lhoka Prefecture of Tibet and provide basis for development of prevention and control strategies. Methods: Survey spots were sampled around the Zhegu Village of Zhegu Town in Cuomei County of Tibet using the mechanical sampling method in May, 2015. The positions of spots, amount of dog feces, types of camps, pastures, terrains, vegetations and land cover, as well as information concerning the existence of household garbage, were recorded. The linear distance from survey spot to the center of the village was calculated. Dog feces were sampled in survey spot and examined the copro-antigen for Echinococcus contamination by ELISA. The distribution characteristics of fecal contamination were analyzed by chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Nemenyi test. Results: Seventy-nine survey spots were selected for sampling. A total of 226 feces samples were obtained in 37 of the spots. ELISA results showed that the copro-antigen positive rate was 23.9%ï¼54/226ï¼, the averaged density of feces and the averaged density of positive feces were 0.317 9/100 m2 and 0.075 9/100 m2, with a maximum of 2.555 6/100 m2 and 0.555 6/100 m2 respectively. The density of feces and the density of positive feces were both higher in summer campsï¼0.601 9/100 m2 and 0.157 4/100 m2 respectivelyï¼ than in non-campsï¼0.170 2/100 m2 and 0.033 1/100 m2ï¼ï¼χ2=18.248 4ï¼P<0.01ï¼χ2=15.274 3ï¼P<0.01ï¼. In addition, the density of feces and the density of positive feces were both higher in survey spots with household garbageï¼0.679 0/100 m2, 0.177 0/100 m2ï¼ than in those without household garbage ï¼0.130 3/100 m2 and 0.023 5/100 m2ï¼ï¼χ2=34.634 7ï¼P<0.01ï¼χ2=26.109 1ï¼P<0.01ï¼; as well as higher in survey spots ≥10 km from the center of the villageï¼0.403 7/100 m2, 0.107 4/100 m2ï¼ than in those <10 kmï¼0.265 3/100 m2, 0.056 7/100 m2ï¼ï¼χ2=4.432 7ï¼P<0.05ï¼χ2=4.045 5ï¼P<0.05ï¼. Conclusion: The Cuomei County of Tibet is facing a serious situation of dog fecal contamination by Echinococcus. Summer camps, areas with household garbage, and districts with a ≥10 km linear distance from the village center may provide reference for determining the regions for hydatidosis prevention and control.