Hydatidosis seroprevalence in school children from Huancasancos

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of human hydatidosis in the school population from 6 to 15 years of age in the highland province of Huancasancos, Ayacucho. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study, conducted in May 2004 by serology test as double diffusion (DD5), ELISA and immunoblot. Results. 473 schools were assessed, 50.3% were women, 76.1% did not know the disease, 74.8% livestock breeding, 79.1% have dogs. Two cases were found positive by DD5 and 17 by ELISA, six were confirmed by immunoblot, giving a prevalence of hydatid disease was 1.27 (CI95%: 0.15-2.38), the cases were from the districts of Sacsamarca (3/129), Carapa (1/66), Sanco (2/186) and Lucanamarca (0/92). Five of the six cases had raised cattle and dogs, four were male and were between 9 to 15 years. Conclusions. It shows the presence of hydatidosis in rural livestock areas in Ayacucho, is needed to implement programs for the control of hydatidosis.