Prevalence of echinococcosis in Xining municipality of Qinghai province

  Objective  To examine the prevalence of human and animal hydatid disease in Xining municipality of Qinghai province.

  Methods  We selected 2 to 3 villages and towns in 4 districts and 3 counties of Xining municipality, Qinghai province for the study between June and August 2012. Echinococcosis among the permanent residents aged ≥ one year old was detected with B-type ultrasonic examination. Livestock echinococcosis was confirmed with visceral autopsy. Echinococcus cyst related antigen in field-collected dog feces samples was tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

  Results  Of the 22 604 residents receiving B-type ultrasonic examination, 6 were identified having hydatid cysts, with a morbidity rate of 0.03% (6/22 604). The highest county-specific prevalence rate of hydatid disease was 0.16% (5/3 197). The prevalence rate echinococcosis in the female residents was 0.02% (2/12 035) and was lower than that (0.04% 4/10 569) in the male residents. The prevalence rate of hydatid disease was 0.05% (6/12 128) among the farmers. The prevalence rate of echinococcosis was higher for the residents aged 50 – 59, 60 – 69, and more than 70 years. The prevalence rate of echinococcosis was 0.06% (2/3 355) and 0.04% (4/9 386) among the illiterate residents and the residents with primary school education. The prevalence rate of echinococcosis was 0.15% (2/1 320) and 0.10% (1/956) among the Tibetan and Hui residents. Among the residents, the prevalence rate of hydatid disease differed significantly by living region (P < 0.05) but did not significantly differ by gender, age, and ethnic group, occupation, and education level (P > 0.05 for all). For the 2 260 canine dung samples detected, the infection rate of echinococcus was 10.58% (239/2 260) and there were significant differences in the detection rate for the samples collected in different regions (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  In Xining municipality, there still is a risk of echinococcosis epidemic among residents mainly due to the high echinococcus infection rate of dogs.