Burden of Fasciola hepatica Infection among children from Paucartambo in Cusco, Peru

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Mar;86(3):481-5. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0448.

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of fascioliasis in the Peruvian highlands, but most cases remain undiagnosed. The burden of disease caused by chronic subclinical infection is largely unknown. We studied school-age children from a district in Paucartambo Province in Cusco, Peru to evaluate the burden of disease caused by subclinical fascioliasis. Parasite eggs and/or larvae were identified in 46.2% of subjects, including Fasciola hepatica in 10.3% of subjects. Fascioliasis was independently associated with anemia (adjusted odds ratio = 3.01 [1.10-8.23]). Subclinical fascioliasis was common among children and strongly associated with anemia. Anemia should be recognized as an important component of the burden of disease from fascioliasis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fasciola hepatica / pathogenicity*
  • Fascioliasis / diagnosis*
  • Fascioliasis / epidemiology*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Nutritional Status
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prevalence