[Epidemiological Studies on Echinococcosis in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang]

To understand the prevalence and characteristics of echinococcosis in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture (abbreviated as Kizilsu) of Xinjiang, in the aim of providing evidence for prevention and treatment of echinococcosis.

Sixty-two villages were selected as investigation spots from 19 towns in agricultural and pasturing areas of Ulugqat County, Artux City, Akto County, and Akqi County during 2011-2012. Ultrasound abdominal scan was performed in all residents in these spots to examine the occurance of echinococcosis. ELISA was performed to detect the echinococcosis-specific antibody in sera from children of 6-12 years and the antigen of Echinococcus granulosus in freshly-collected dog feces. Hydatid cysts in viscera of at slaughterhouses in the four spots were examined by touching and visual observation.

Ultrasound was conducted in 12 000 residents, among whom 60 were found to be positive for echinococcosis (echinococcosis granulosa), with a morbidity of 0.5%（60/12 000）. The morbidity in Ulugqat County was 1.1%（35/3 200）, significantly higher than that in Artux City（0.5%, 13/2 400）, Akto County（0.2%, 8/3 200）, and Akqi County（0.1%, 4/3 200）（χ2=4.92-24.79, P<0.05）. The morbidity was highest in residents ≥71 years（1.2%, 4/323）, followed by the age group of 0-10 years（0.9%, 3/350）, but with no significant difference among age groups（χ2=0.39-3.31, P＞0.05）. The serum antibody positive rate in children was 3.1%（230/7 338）, highest in Artux City（4.9%, 89/1 828） with significant difference in comparison to Akto County（2.9%, 56/1 927）, and Akqi County（0.7%, 11/1 639）（χ2=9.71, 54.34, P<0.05）. The hydatid cyst rate in livestock was 7.7%（291/3 769）, of which 97.3%（283/291） were in sheep. The antigen positive rate in dog feces was 3.3%（74/2 219）.

The morbidity（1.1%） was highest in Ulugqat County and the antibody positive rate（4.9%） in children was highest in Artux City. Infection was found in livestock and dogs.