Seroepidemiological evidence for Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis in three Venezuelan rural communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Cortez A ◽  
G. Rojas ◽  
C.M. Aguilar ◽  
E. Ferrer ◽  
Y. Alviarez ◽  
...  

Abstract Taenia solium is the most common parasite infection of the brain, causing neurocysticercosis and typically found in rural communities with free-ranging pigs. Identification of transmission in rural areas is essential for its control. Risk factors and transmission of the parasite were evaluated in three rural Venezuelan communities (Valle del Rio and Potrero Largo, Cojedes state; and Palmarito, Portuguesa state) by a questionnaire (112 households) and coprological (492 samples) and serological (433 human and 230 porcine sera) analysis, respectively. Typical risk factors were found in all three communities: free-foraging pig husbandry, deficient sanitary conditions, high open defecation and ignorance of the parasite life cycle. Coprological examinations revealed a high level of soil-transmitted parasites. Importantly, two T. solium adult worm carriers were identified in each of the three communities. Anti-metacestode antibodies and the HP10 secreted metacestode glycoprotein were detected at significant levels in human and porcine sera in Valle del Rio, Potrero Largo and Palmarito. In conclusion, these communities may be considered to be endemic for taeniasis/cysticercosis, and the instigation of an appropriate control programme is recommended.

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 905-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio C. Acevedo-Nieto ◽  
Paulo S.A. Pinto ◽  
Letícia F. Silva ◽  
Rafaella P.M. Guimarães-Peixoto ◽  
Tatiane O. Santos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Cysticercosis is caused by Taenia solium, a parasitic zoonosis that affects human and pigs raised free-range in developing countries. The epidemiology of the taeniosis cysticercosis complex in Brazil is poorly understood especially when it comes to field research. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis in rural communities located in the east of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. From 371 farms in the county of Tumiritinga/MG, 101 farms from 14 communities were randomly sampled. Blood samples from pigs were collected, and epidemiological questionnaires were carried out. The serum samples obtained were analyzed through immunodiagnosis techniques, including ELISA and Western Blot, both for the detection of antibodies. The data obtained by different surveys were analyzed using EpiInfo 3.5.1 software to determine seroprevalence and risk factors associated with cysticercosis. The prevalence of farms with porcine cysticercosis was 9.9% (10/101) and antibody-based seropositive was 5.3% (13/247). The results indicate that cysticercosis occurs in high level in the rural area never studied before. These results suggest the presence of tapeworm carriers contributing to the occurrence and maintenance of this zoonotic life cycle in the county. Regarding risk factors, the most significant determinants for porcine cysticercosis in the field were free-range pig management (OR: 17.4, p: 0.0001), the method of disposal of human faeces in the environmental (OR: 7.6; p 0.012), and the size of the farm. Porcine cysticercosis was diagnosed only in areas represented by Agrarian Reform Settlements. From the results, it is possible to recommend as a means of control and prevention the destination of human faeces in appropriate sanitary landfills and the production of pigs in an enclosed area. Additionally, improving education in the communities sampled will indirectly affect the spreading of this disease. The results draw attention to the largest studies of this zoonotic disease in human settlements from rural areas due to the lack of knowledge about the epidemiology of the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex. The results could serve as the basis to support public policies aimed at creating an effective program to control the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex in the studied area. Awareness of TC among medical doctors, veterinarians, meat animal family producers and the public should be developed through appropriate information and education.


Biomédica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Toquero ◽  
Antonio Morocoima ◽  
Elizabeth Ferrer

Introducción. La cisticercosis es causada por larvas de Taenia solium, las cuales se localizan principalmente en el sistema nervioso central causando neurocisticercosis. En Venezuela se han realizado pocos estudios epidemiológicos.Objetivo. Determinar la seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo de cisticercosis en dos comunidades rurales del estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo una encuesta donde se recogieron datos sobre los posibles factores de riesgo y signos y síntomas de la enfermedad y se tomaron 182 muestras de las comunidades Boquerón y Punto Lindo. Se determinaron anticuerpos IgG contra cisticercos de T. solium, mediante el ensayo inmunoenzimatico (ELISA).Resultados. Boquerón presentó una seroprevalencia de 3,3%; debido al bajo número de positivos no se pudo hacer el análisis estadístico. Sin embargo, los 3 positivos tenían conocimiento de la enfermedad, antecedentes de tenencia de cerdos libres, consumo de carne de cerdo semicruda y cefalea frecuente. En Punto Lindo la seroprevalencia fue de 28,9%. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto al género y la edad, sin embargo, se encontró mayor frecuencia en menores de 20 años. Con respecto a los factores de riesgo y signos y síntomas, se encontró asociación significativa con: consumo de carne de cerdo semicruda (OR 18; IC95% 5,78-55,9), cefalea frecuente (OR 3,6; IC95% 1,15-11,4), convulsiones (OR 18,9; IC95% 2,15-166,5) y problemas visuales (OR 5,7; IC95% 2,13-15,34).Conclusión. Los resultados demuestran poca transmisión de cisticercosis en Boquerón y alta en Punto Lindo, donde la alta prevalencia en niños sugiere que se trate de transmisión reciente.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Bilakshan Sah ◽  
PK Pokharel ◽  
IS Paudel ◽  
A Acharya ◽  
N Jha ◽  
...  

Background Taenia prevalence has remained high among certain ethnic groups and occupational diseases in Nepal. Taenia saginata and Taenia solium species are worldwide in distribution. Infection is found most often in rural areas of developing countries with poor hygiene and living in close contact with pigs and eating undercooked pork meats. This allows the tapeworm infection to be completed and its cycle to continue. Objectives  To measure the prevalence of taenia infestation and to identify risk factors associated with taenia infestation among the school children of Dharan. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 935 Government and private school going children of Grade VI, VII, and VIII of Dharan during 2007 to 2008. Stratified random sampling method was applied to choose the schools and the study subjects. The prevalence was calculated, Chi-square test was used to measure the association of risk factors and taenia infestation. Results Taenia species was found to be high (5.5%) among the school children of Dharan. Infection rate of taenia among the male children (6.0%) was slightly higher than female (4.8%). There were no cases of taenia infestation found among children washing hands with soap. Regarding meat consumption in the non-vegetarian group, taenia infestation was found higher (6.5%) among pork eating than non-pork eating (4.7%). No significant relationship was traced among the factors in the causation of taenia infestation although slight indications present. Conclusion Taenia species was found very high among the school children of Dharan. No such association was found with the risk factors. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | VOL.10 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 39 | JUL- SEP 2012 | Page 14-17 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8011


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pokkamol Laoraksawong ◽  
Pimyada Pansuwan ◽  
Supakrit Krongchon ◽  
Pongphan Pongpanitanont ◽  
Penchom Janwan

Abstract Objective: Enterobius vermicularis infection is an important public health problem worldwide, especially among schoolchildren in tropical and subtropical countries. The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections varies in each region of Thailand, but its status remains unknown among children who live in rural areas of southern region. This study aimed to evaluate the current prevalence of E. vermicularis infections and to identify the risk factors for infection among schoolchildren who live in rural communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Southern Thailand.Results: The overall prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 5.79% (23 of 397). According to the multivariate analysis, the following were found to be risk factors associated with E. vermicularis infections (P < 0.05): male sex (AOR = 4.03, 95%CI 1.22-13.29), age group 3-6 years (AOR = 4.85, 95%CI 1.51-15.59), those having mother’s education level of primary school (AOR = 11.22, 95%CI 1.75-71.77), those having older sibling(s) (AOR = 6.25, 95%CI 1.83-21.26), those having younger sibling(s) (AOR = 6.24, 95%CI 2.00-19.44), those sometimes washing hands after using toilet (AOR = 5.25, 95%CI 1.24-22.21), those keeping fingernail long (AOR = 29.97, 95%CI 6.16-145.85), and those sucking their finger (AOR = 3.59, 95%CI 1.21-10.66).


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S471-S472
Author(s):  
Andre G Bouweraerts ◽  
Justus Ortega

Abstract Within California, older adults living in rural counties have reported higher rates of falls than urban dwelling older adults. Although many Indigenous people live in rural areas, it is unclear whether the rate of falls among Indigenous older adults is similar to that of non-indigenous older adults living in rural areas. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine fall risk behaviors and intrinsic risk factors for falls in rural dwelling Indigenous (N = 89), and non-Indigenous (N = 68) older adults 60-95 years of age living in California. Results showed that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous older adults share similarly high fall rates, but there are a much greater number of Indigenous older adults falling multiple times a year. Moreover, fall risk behaviors and intrinsic fall risk factors were significantly different between Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural-dwelling older adults. Future studies should investigate falls and fall risk factors in different tribes/locations of Indigenous older adults to better understand whether these risk factors differ among tribes. Moreover, it would be beneficial for future studies to assess the effectiveness of fall prevention exercises on fall risk in these communities. Information gained from this study helps to inform clinicians and researchers alike about the prevalence of falls and factors contributing to falls among Indigenous older adults living in rural communities; and helps to influence decisions in the future of programs for reducing fall risk in this often neglected population.


Author(s):  
Fariha Bibi

The present chapter aimed at making out the possibility of sustainable rural development by husbanding precious resources in the rural areas, particularly the rural areas of the Central Karakoram zone in Pakistan. For this purpose, a qualitative research design was manipulated in order to decipher the maximum chance of attaining rural sustainability in these areas through a thorough perusal of various relevant past studies. Hence, the information, gleaned from the archival sources and elucidated hermeneutically, signified a high level of effectiveness of the economical use of natural resources for retaining sufficient and passable degree of sustainability in the rural areas. Consequently, the hermeneutic assertions, made by the researcher of this study, accentuated the inculcation of numerous assorted customary husbandry methods, adopted and employed by the pure traditional rural communities, among the modern rural population of the Central Karakoram zone in Pakistan as well in order to enhance the possibility of arriving at the rural sustainability in these areas. Recognizing the value of certain reliable husbandry practices, the study deemed and estimated a maximum accomplishment of targets set out for attaining sustainable rural development all around the world, particularly in the Central Karakoram zone in Pakistan.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uffe Christian Braae ◽  
Pascal Magnussen ◽  
Wendy Harrison ◽  
Benedict Ndawi ◽  
Faustin Lekule ◽  
...  

2003 ◽  
Vol 1819 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Visser ◽  
Sally Hall

In many parts of the world, high-level engineering solutions are inappropriate for rural areas where expertise, skills, and equipment are unavailable. Often these areas suffer from difficult terrain that also makes accessibility a problem. At the 1999 International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, a design catalogue was presented for a flexible portland cement concrete pavement using geocells, which was suitable for labor-intensive construction. However, the catalogue required layer works, which meant that construction equipment, although minimal, was required. This was seen as a major constraint, particularly when communities become involved in the construction of these local access roads. In addition, in difficult terrain the handling of drainage becomes a major engineering undertaking for which expertise may not be locally available. The aim of this study was to develop a structural design catalogue that caters for the range of traffic and material conditions typically encountered in these remote rural areas. Additionally, standard solutions were developed for dealing with steep gradients and surface drainage that are coupled to the structural design. The fundamental engineering principles were used to derive the structural design catalogue and in the management of surface drainage. Case studies were conducted in the successful application of the design catalogue to demonstrate the approach and design procedures. This approach has made a significant contribution in improving the quality of life of rural communities, particularly in remote and often poor regions of South Africa.


2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (11) ◽  
pp. 1586-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. KRØJGAARD ◽  
S. VILLUMSEN ◽  
M. D. K. MARKUSSEN ◽  
J. S. JENSEN ◽  
H. LEIRS ◽  
...  

SUMMARYEarlier studies on the ecology of leptospirosis in temperate regions focused mainly on free-ranging rats in rural areas. Here we report on the occurrence of Leptospira spp. in Rattus norvegicus living in sewers in a suburban area in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2006–2007, about 30 rats were captured in sewers at each of six different locations. Rat kidneys were screened by PCR for pathogenic Leptospira spp. In one location no infected rats were found, whereas the prevalence in the remaining five locations ranged between 48% and 89%. Micro-agglutination tests showed that serogroup Pomona, Sejroe, and Icterohaemorrhagiae were the most common. Infection was related to age with the highest prevalence observed for adult rats but there was no difference in infection rate between sexes, suggesting primarily environmental transmission. Since most reported rat problems in urban areas are related to sewer rats, the surprisingly high level of infection calls for an increased public health concern.


Author(s):  
Thandi Kapwata ◽  
Angela Mathee ◽  
Wouter le Roux ◽  
Caradee Wright

Diarrhoeal disease is a significant contributor to child morbidity and mortality, particularly in the developing world. Poor sanitation, a lack of personal hygiene and inadequate water supplies are known risk factors for diarrhoeal disease. Since risk factors may vary by population or setting, we evaluated the prevalence of diarrhoeal disease at the household level using a questionnaire to better understand household-level risk factors for diarrhoea in selected rural areas in South Africa. In a sub-sample of dwellings, we measured the microbial quality of drinking water. One in five households had at least one case of diarrhoea during the previous summer. The most widespread source of drinking water was a stand-pipe (inside yard) (45%) followed by an indoor tap inside the dwelling (29%). Storage of water was common (97%) with around half of households storing water in plastic containers with an opening large enough to fit a hand through. After adjusting for confounders, the occurrence of diarrhoea was statistically significantly associated with sourcing water from an indoor tap (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.73, 95% CI: 2.73, 1.14–6.56) and storing cooked/perishable food in non-refrigerated conditions (AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 2.17, 1.44–3.26). The highest total coliform counts were found in water samples from kitchen containers followed by stand-pipes. Escherichia coli were most often detected in samples from stand-pipes and kitchen containers. One in four households were at risk of exposure to contaminated drinking water, increasing the susceptibility of the study participants to episodes of diarrhoea. It is imperative that water quality meets guideline values and routine monitoring of quality of drinking water is done to minimise diarrhoea risk in relevant rural communities. The security of water supply in rural areas should be addressed as a matter of public health urgency to avoid the need for water storage.


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