[Paragonimosis in the peri-urban zone of Medellín, Antioquia].
BACKGROUND
Human paragonimosis in Colombia was assumed to be restricted to the sylvatic areas. However, in 2005, crabs infected with Paragonimus were found in Fuente Clara, an urban sector in Medellín.


OBJECTIVE
A study was designed to understand the ecoepidemiology of paragonimosis. Programs were initiated to educate the community in the suitable use of wetland ecosystems.


METHODS
Infection rates of Paragonimus in human and wild hosts was documented in the Fuente Clara sector. The presence of larvae and digenic adult worms was detected in mollusks (1,312), crabs (27) and mammals (4). Sputum diagnosis was performed on samples from 18 volunteer individuals. The following determinants of water quality were measured in the stream La Puerta: total fecal/coliform, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured. Recreational workshops were conducted with children and teenagers for educational purposes.


RESULTS
The percentage of infections found in hosts was as follows: snails, 0.07%; crabs, 55.5%; (wild) mammals, 25%; humans, 0%. During the workshops, children and teenagers identified the Paragonimus hosts and the risk factors for acquiring the disease. The water of the stream was found to be unsuitable for consumption and recreation (the most probable number of total coliforms/100 ml was in a scale of 104).


CONCLUSIONS
Fuente Clara is the first urban locality in Colombia where a focus of Paragonimus was found. Exposure to and consumption of crabs may constitute a risk for human infection.
Casas
Eudoro
E
Grupo Microbiología Ambiental, Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Gómez
Catalina
C
Valencia
Erika
E
Salazar
Laura
L
Velásquez
Luz Elena
LE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004493:Education; D006801:Humans; D010237:Paragonimiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D010238:Paragonimus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014505:Urban Population; D053833:Wetlands; D015047:Zoonoses