SEROPREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF PEDIATRIC CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS AND CANINE ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN A DISTRICT OF HUANCAVELICA, PERU

Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease endemic to several rural areas in Peru. Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of pediatric cystic echinococcosis and canine echinococcosis. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study conducted in 2019 in the district of Ascensión, Huancavelica, Peru. A total of 783 male schoolchildren were evaluated using serological tests (ELISA and Immunoblot), and 543 dogs were tested using copro-ELISA and copro-PCR. Epidemiological surveys were conducted with students and heads of households. Variables included sociodemographic factors, household conditions, and risk practices involving animals. Samples were processed at the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) and the Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile. Bivariate analysis with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) was performed. The study was approved by an ethics committee and included informed consent. Results: The pediatric seroprevalence was 5.18% by ELISA and 1.60% by Immunoblot, with no significant associations found with the evaluated variables. Canine coproprevalence was 7.18% by copro-ELISA and 9.02% by copro-PCR. Significant associations were found with age >7 years (OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.02–0.89; p=0.016; ref.: 0 to 6 years), livestock benefit in slaughterhouses (OR=2.71; 95% CI=1.39–5.49; p=0.001), direct consumption of offal (OR=7.99; 95% CI=1.13–48.42; p=0.002), and cooking offal for dogs (OR=3.02; 95% CI=1.12–7.29; p=0.007). Conclusion: Active circulation of Echinococcus granulosus is confirmed in Ascensión, highlighting the need to strengthen local zoonotic control measures.