DETECTION OF ASYMPTOMATIC HYDATID DISEASE BY A COMMUNITY SCREENING PROGRAM

• Published in: American journal of epidemiology 1973-01, Vol.97 (1), p.16-21
• Main Authors: KLOCK, LAWRENCE E., SPRUANCE, SPOTSWOOD L., ANDERSEN, FERRON L., JURANEK, DENNIS D., KAGAN, IRVING G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Appendix; Cecal Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dogs; echinococcosis; Echinococcosis - diagnosis; Echinococcosis - epidemiology; Echinococcosis - veterinary; Echinococcosis, Hepatic - diagnosis; Echinococcosis, Hepatic - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; screening programs; serology; sheep disease; Skin Tests; Utah; Zoonoses - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0002-9262; 1476-6256
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a121479

Klock, L. E., S. L. Spruance, F. L. Andersen, D. D. Juranek and I. G. Kagan (Parasitic Diseases Branch, Epidemiology Program, CDC, Atlanta, Ga. 30333). Detection of asymptomatic hydatid disease by a community screening program. Am J Epidemiol 97: 16–21, 1973.—A survey for hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus infection) was conducted in a sheep-raising community in central Utah; 273 persons were evaluated for this disease with skin and serologic tests. Three asymptomatic persons were found to have hydacid cysts of the liver, and the prevalence of human infection was determined to be 1.1 cases per 100 persons. Fourteen of 44 dogs (32%) were also infected with E. granulosus. These infection rates are comparable with those in other areas of the world where hydatid disease is considered a significant health problem. This study suggests the need for further screening and control programs in sheep-raising areas of the western United States in an attempt to prevent transmission of this disease to man.