[Decline of echinococcosis in the Netherlands; 1997-2008].

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of human echinococcosis in the Netherlands by using data from laboratories carrying out diagnostic procedures and data from pathology registries from 1997-2008.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

METHOD

Data on serological diagnostic tests for Echinococcus granulosus carried out from 1997 to 2008 were gathered from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in Bilthoven and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Additionally, all echinococcosis patients registered on the pathology database of the Dutch pathological anatomy national automated archive (PALGA) were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 7314 serum samples from 5125 patients were examined for antibodies. Cyst material from 39 patients was examined using molecular methods. The number of serum samples sent in annually was stable at 550 to 600. Over the period investigated, 1997-2008, on serological investigation a total of 485 patients were found to have a positive result on IgG-ELISA. Of these, the diagnosis of echinococcosis was confirmed in 445 patients by further serological investigation (on average 37 new patients each year (range: 19-59)) and/or a positive PCR result. Over the duration of the study period the number of new patients decreased from over 40 to fewer than 30 patients per year. Going by the family name, 95.5% of the 445 patients were probably imported cases of disease.

CONCLUSION

In the Netherlands, echinococcosis is primarily seen as an imported disease with the majority of patients originating from areas around the Mediterranean Sea where it is endemic. Each year there are nearly 30 confirmed cases.