Enfoque epidemiologico de la hidatidosis

Abstract

Human hydatidosis causes serious health problems in many parts of the developing world. The countries with the highest infection rates in Latin America are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay and, to a lesser extent, Bolivia, Colombia and Paraguay. Owing to the effect of the disease on the victim and his family and commuity, the author stresses the need to apply the epidemiological approach to the study of this zoonosis and the importance of having epidemiological surveillance services so that effective, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures may be taken. Ongoing scientific research must be part of every hydatidosis control program in order to advance our knowledge of the disease and the tiologic, social, cultural and environmental factors that contribute to its persistence and dissemination in endemic areas. Research shouls also be continued into new methods for the identification of different strains of Echicoccus granulosus, including metabolic studies, in vitro culturing, and protein and isoenzyme electrophoresis techniques