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

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26 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)481-485
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume86
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Parasitology

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