Objective: To determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in humans and livestock in the Los Ríos region during the years 1999-2009.
Methods: A retrospective survey of all discharge records of patients undergoing removal of cysts produced by Echinococcus granulosus during the period 1999-2009 in the Hospital Clinico Regional of Valdivia was conducted. With the information provided incidence rate, mortality rate and fatality rate were calculated. Additionally, with the aim of determining prevalence of hydatidosis in livestock (i.e. cattle, sheep and pigs) official records of slaughtered animals for the same period from the Ministry of Health of Los Ríos region were searched.
Results: During the ten-year period 238 new human cases were recorded, the average incidence rate for the period was 6.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, the mortality rate was 0.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the fatality rate was 1.3%. The most affected class group was the 15-64 years old with a 70% of cases. The districts more affected were Valdivia and Río Bueno. Most cases (54%) were from patients from rural areas, while the occupation more affected was housekeeping (29%). The liver (56%) and lungs (33%) were the localization where cysts were most frequently found. On 55% of cases, patients did not show any complication; meanwhile, infected cyst (11%) and unspecified complicated (8%) were the more frequent complication. Overall, 89% of cases recovered totally after surgery. Finally, the average in patient time was 14.7 bed-days. Prevalence of hydatidosis in livestock was 23% in cattle, 23% in sheep and 12% in pigs. The highest prevalence was found in slaughter houses in the districts of Panguipulli and San José de la Mariquina.
Discussion: Human and animal hydatidosis is highly prevalent in humans and livestock in Los Ríos region compared to national and international records. Further research is recommended to assess risk factors for human infection and improving record-keeping and trazability of slaughtered animals to implement control measures at the farm level to help to stop the life cycle of the parasite and thus reduce human infections.