Presence of Hymenolepis nana and diminuta in rodents of the Las Pinas citadel, in Milagro, Ecuador, and its risk for public health

Abstract

Hymenolepidiosis is a zoonosis of worldwide prevalence, especially in children, and it is caused by rodent cestodes called Hymenolepis (H) nana and Hymenolepis diminuta. It is very common in developing countries with hot, temperate and dry climates. The life cycle of H. nana does not require intermediate hosts, and its usual transmission is fecal-oral (by ingestion of infective eggs); and infection of H. diminuta occurs through ingestion of tenebrionid arthropods with the larval form (cysticercoids). The objective of this study was to determine the presence of H. nana and H. diminuta in the “Las Piñas” citadel, in the city of Milagro (Ecuador) and to make the public health risk known, through informative talks. For this research, the rodents were captured with the help of Tomahawk and Sherman traps with non-toxic baits (meat, mortadella, fish, bread). A descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study with qualitative approach, carried out between February 1st and July 30th, 2018, analyzed fecal samples using direct methods and flotationcentrifugation with a supersaturated saline solution. Out of 87 captured and processed rodents, 20 cases (22.99 %) were determined for Hymenolepis nana, and 10 cases (11.49 %), for H. diminuta. This was the first report of Hymenolepis nana and diminuta in rodents in the country. It can be concluded that the presence of these parasites at the study site is evident and may become a serious public health problem, due to the risk of transmission to the inhabitants of the sector.