FACTORES DE RIESGO ASOCIADOS A LA MENINGITIS EOSINOFÍLICA CAUSADA POR Angiostrongylus cantonensis (NEMATODA: METASTRONGYLIDAE) EN CHONE

Abstract

The parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most frequent cause of eosinophilic meningitis. Its presence in Ecuador was confirmed in 2008 and a recent study in the City of Chone determined a prevalence of 97.3% in the African snail (Achatina fulica), which encouraged us to carry out this research, in order to determine the factors Risk factors associated with eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) in the City of Chone. 500 people were interviewed who live or work in the main streets of Chone (7 de Agosto street, Washington street, Bolívar street and Colón street). The methodology of the study was transversal, observational and descriptive. Surveys were conducted on the study population and the clinical histories of the Hospital General de Chone were reviewed. The most alarming risk factors were the consumption of raw snails (7.40%), the direct contact of people with the African snail in the house (67%) and at work (51.20%), the contact that they have children when playing in the garden (76.80%), the incorrect cleaning of food (54.40%), the consumption of unpurified water (22%), and the use of water that is out in the open (13.20%). The presence of the intermediate (43.80%) and definitive (27.40%) host within the house and close to it (35.20% and 50.80% respectively) is worrisome. In addition, 50.77% of the study population presented symptoms related to the disease. However, no cases diagnosed with eosinophilic meningitis were found, but a clinical case was related as suspicious, due to its symptoms and laboratory results. It was concluded that the majority of the population lives or works in an area of high prevalence of the A. cantonensis parasite, in addition to the consumption and direct contact with the snails, the incorrect cleaning of the food, the consumption of unpurified water and that is found in the open, the exposure of children to these snails and the presence of related symptoms, which demonstrates the high risk in which the population is