Human cystic echinococcosis in two south-western and central-western Romanian counties: A 7-year epidemiological and clinical overview

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 26 - 29
• Main Authors: Moldovan, Roxana, Neghina, Adriana Maria, Calma, Crenguta Livia, Marincu, Iosif, Neghina, Raul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01-01-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic echinococcosis; Diseases caused by cestodes; Echinococcoses; Echinococcosis - epidemiology; Echinococcosis - pathology; Echinococcus; Endemic Diseases; Eosinophils - immunology; Epidemiology; Female; General aspects; Helminthic diseases; Hospitalization; Humans; Hydatid disease; Incidence; Infectious diseases; Length of Stay; Leukocyte Count; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Parasitic diseases; Parasitology; Retrospective Studies; Romania; Romania - epidemiology; Young Adult; Europe; Romania; Cystic echinococcosis; Parasitology; Romania; Hydatid disease; Epidemiology; Human; Parasitosis; Hydatid cyst; Helminthiasis; Cestode disease; Infection; Tropical medicine; Echinococciasis
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.10.003

A study aimed to bring new epidemiological and clinical information on human cystic echinococcosis in Romania. [Display omitted]
► Cystic echinococcosis (CE) continues to be a major parasitic disease in Romania. ► This study analyzes the characteristics of CE in a group of hospitalized patients. ► We found an incidence of 3.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants in the studied regions. ► About two thirds of cases were aged over 40 years. ► Liver involvement occurred in 84.7% of patients.
To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) in two Romanian counties, of which one is known from a previous survey as hyperendemic, whereas in the other no extensive studies have been undertaken so far.
Retrospective investigation of the medical records of the patients diagnosed with this condition and hospitalized during 2004–2010 in Caras-Severin and Hunedoara counties.
A total of 190 patients aged 5–88 years (44.3±21.8 years old) were diagnosed with CE. More than one fifth of cases (21.1%) were younger than 19 years old, indicating active transmission of the disease. The yearly average incidence was 3.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The highest incidence was registered in patients aged 60–69 years (6.2 cases/100,000 inhabitants), regardless of their gender. Liver involvement occurred in 84.7% of patients. One fifth of the cases (20%) presented complications. Normal values of the eosinophil counts and leukocyte counts predominated within the study group. The length of the hospital stay varied between 1 and 65 days with a mean of 13.1±9.5 days.
CE has a significant burden in this part of Romania, and continues to be a public health concern. Consequently, better implementation of preventive measures and extensive informative campaigns for the population are mandatory.