Transmission of Echinococcus species in pastoral communities in southern Kyrgyzstan

Rogan, MT; van Kesteren, FH; Mastin, A; Craig, PS; Torgerson, PR; Mytova, B; Zaidenov, I; Giradoux, P; Raoul, F

Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus and human cystic echinococcosis (CE) are highly endemic in Central Asia and western China. Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is an emergent public health problem in Kyrgyzstan and in the Region. Community, veterinary and ecological investigations were undertaken in 2012-13 in the Alay Valley, south Kyrgyzstan. Mass ultrasound screening of the local population detected hepatic lesions confirmed to be AE (7% prevalence); no human CE cases were identified. Voluntary arecoline purgation of 20 owned dogs revealed 8 (40%) infected with Echinococcus spp.; PCR analysis of worms revealed presence of E.granulosus (G1), E. canadensis (G6) and E.multilocularis. An Echinococcus spp coproantigen ELISA-based survey of owned dogs (n= 333) in 10 villages gave a copro-prevalence of 26.4% (range 21.4% to25.7 %). PCR testing confirmed presence of all 3 species in owned dogs. The study found that sheepdogs had lower odds of coproantigen positivity, as did households with donkeys; some knowledge of echinococcosis; and no involvement in home slaughtering. There was no evidence of an association between free roaming or previous praziquantel dosing and coproantigen positivity, as has been found in previous studies. Environmental sampling of canid faeces indicated high contamination levels in villages with some faecal samples positive for DNA from E.canadensis or E.multilocularis. A small mammal survey indicated high densities of Zaisan mole voles (Ellobius tancrei) in and around villages; E.multilocularis lesions were confirmed in E.tancrei. A quarterly dog dosing intervention programme (using praziquantel) appeared to significantly reduce village copro-prevalence levels in owned dogs within 3 years. Human AE is a highly pathogenic emergent zoonosis in the Alay Valley which requires early intervention to reduce a future potential public health problem.

Citation

Rogan, M., van Kesteren, F., Mastin, A., Craig, P., Torgerson, P., Mytova, B., …Raoul, F. (2015, August). Transmission of Echinococcus species in pastoral communities in southern Kyrgyzstan. Presented at 80. 25th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), Liverpool, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 80. 25th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP)
• Conference Location: Liverpool, UK
• Start Date: Aug 16, 2015
• End Date: Aug 20, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 22, 2016
• Publisher URL: http://www.waavp2015.com/
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference