Human and Canine Echinococcosis Infection in Informal, Unlicensed Abattoirs in Lima, Peru

Echinococcus granulosus infections are a major public health problem in livestock-raising regions around the world. The life cycle of this tapeworm is sustained between dogs (definitive host, canine echinococcosis), and herbivores (intermediary host, cystic hydatid disease). Humans may also develop cystic hydatid disease. Echinococcosis is endemic in rural areas of Peru; nevertheless, its presence or the extension of the problem in urban areas is basically unknown. Migration into Lima, an 8-million habitant's metropolis, creates peripheral areas where animals brought from endemic areas are slaughtered without veterinary supervision. We identified eight informal, unlicensed abattoirs in a peripheral district of Lima and performed a cross-sectional study in to assess the prevalence of canine echinococcosis, evaluated by coproELISA followed by PCR evaluation and arecoline purge. Eight of 22 dogs (36%) were positive to coproELISA, and four (18%) were confirmed to be infected with E. granulosus tapeworms either by PCR or direct observation (purge). Later evaluation of the human population living in these abattoirs using abdominal ultrasound, chest X-rays and serology, found 3 out of 32 (9.3%) subjects with echinococcal cysts in the liver (two viable, one calcified), one of whom had also lung involvement and a strongly positive antibody response. Autochthonous transmission of E. granulosus is present in Lima. Informal, unlicensed abattoirs may be sources of infection to neighbouring people in this urban environment

Bivariate logistic regression analysis for infection in dogs.

*<p>Unadjusted model.</p>**<p>CI: Confidence interval.</p>***<p>Fisher's exact test (2-sided).</p

Seropisitivity in relation to dog and abattoir characteristics.

*<p>Fisher's exact test (2-sided).</p

Evaluations performed in dogs.

*<p>ELISA ratio = OD sample/OD cut-off.</p>**<p>Based on a OD cut off<0.09.</p

Sequence of evaluations performed in dogs (n = 26).

<p>Sequence of evaluations performed in dogs (n = 26).</p

HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations Among Antiretroviral-Naïve HIV-1–Infected Patients in Asia: Results From the TREAT Asia Studies to Evaluate Resistance-Monitoring Study

Of 682 antiretroviral-na_ve patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in a prospective, multicenter HIV-1 drug resistance monitoring study involving eight sites in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand, the prevalence of patients with ≥1 drug resistance mutation(s) was 13.8%. Primary HIV drug resistance is emerging after rapid scaling-up of antiretroviral therapy in Asia