Epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in Tibet Autonomous Region of China

Abstract

Background The echinococcosis is prevalent in 10 provinces /autonomous region in western and northern China. Epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in China in 2012 showed the average prevalence of four counties in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is 4.23%, much higher than the average prevalence in China (0.24%). It is important to understand the transmission risks and the prevalence of echinococcosis in human and animals in TAR. Methods A stratified and proportionate sampling method was used to select samples in TAR. The selected residents were examined by B-ultrasonography diagnostic, and the faeces of dogs were tested for the canine coproantigen against Echinococcus spp . using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The internal organs of slaughtered domestic animals were examined by visual examination and palpation. The awareness of the prevention and control of echinococcosis among of residents and students was investigated using questionnaire. All data were inputted using double entry in the Epi Info database, with error correction by double-entry comparison, the statistical analysis of all data was processed using SPSS 21.0, and the map was mapped using ArcGIS 10.1, the data was tested by Chi-square test and Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results A total of 80 384 people, 7564 faeces of dogs, and 2103 internal organs of slaughtered domestic animals were examined. The prevalence of echinococcosis in humans in TAR was 1.66%, the positive rate in females (1.92%) was significantly higher than that in males (1.41%), ( χ 2 = 30.31, P < 0.01), the positive rate of echinococcosis was positively associated with age ( χ 2 trend = 423.95, P < 0.01), and the occupational populations with high positive rates of echinococcosis were herdsmen (3.66%) and monks (3.48%). The average positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigen in TAR was 7.30%. The positive rate of echinococcosis in livestock for the whole region was 11.84%. The average awareness rate of echinococcosis across the region was 33.39%. Conclusions A high prevalence of echinococcosis is found across the TAR, representing a very serious concern to human health. Efforts should be made to develop an action plan for echinococcosis prevention and control as soon as possible, so as to control the endemic of echinococcosis and reduce the medical burden on the population. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-019-0537-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Effects of Management of Infection Source of Echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China

“…The echinococcosis has been included in the list of 17 neglected tropical diseases by World Health Organization (WHO) [8].China has the highest endemicity of echinococcosis in the world [3,4], and speci cally the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region of China [4,7]. The pubic health burden is large because the diseases are di cult to treat, requiring complex surgical procedures and long-term high dose antihelminthic treatment [9].And the unique social-cultural background and lifestyle in Tibetan communities adds further di culties to diseases control and prevention.…”

“…Linzhi has 1 administrative district and 6 counties, which are Bayi District, Gongbujiangda, Milin, Motou, Bomi, Chayu, and Lang County. Among these 7 counties/district, Bayi, Gongbujiangda, Bomi, and Chayuhas reported as co-endemic areas of both CE and AE,while the other 3 counties reported as CE endemic areas [4,7]. The epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in TAR in 2016 reported that the prevalence of echinococcosis in Linzhiwas 1.55%, among which the CE prevalence was 1.34%, the AE prevalencewas 0.20%, and the infection rate of dogs was 7.28% (45/618) [7].…”

“…The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China is located in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has been reported as one of the most serious endemic region of the world [3,4,7]. The prevalence of echinococcosis remains at a high level despite the fact that there have been control and prevention campaign launched over years.…”

“…The prevalence of echinococcosis remains at a high level despite the fact that there have been control and prevention campaign launched over years. According to epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in TAR in 2016, the prevalence of echinococcosis was 1.66% in humans, 11.84% in livestock and 7.30% in dogs [7]. The government of TAR strengthened control and prevention campaign of echinococcosis with increased nancial support and more technical guidance since 2017.…”

Comprehensive characterization of plasma cell-free Echinococcus spp. DNA in echinococcosis patients using ultra-high-throughput sequencing

“…As the early phase of infection is generally asymptomatic, patients may remain asymptomatic for years, even permanently. Given the long incubation period (5-20 years), echinococcosis is not easy to be diagnosed in the early stage, and many asymptomatic patients are diagnosed by chance [11][12][13]. Besides, detecting small cystic lesions is also a challenge in imaging diagnosis of echinococcosis.…”