Enfermedad de Lyme en áreas presuntamente endémicas del departamento de Tarija - Bolivia
Abstract
Pregunta de investigación. Existe la enfermedad de Lyme en Bolivia? Objetivo. Determinar la existencia de la enfermedad de Lyme en un área presuntamente endémica. Población. Habitantes de la Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna Tariquía. Diseño. Estudio exploratorio y descriptivo. Material y Métodos. Se tomaron muestras previa entrevista personalizada, de tres puntos estratégicos de la Reserva en reuniones comunarias en las que estuvieron presentes los pobladores que conforman el Parque. Las muestras fueron sometidas a cuatro tipos de pruebas: dos de cribado con los métodos de enzimo inmuno ensayo e inmunofluorescencia indirecta. Una prueba confirmatoria con el método de inmunoblot para confirmar los casos positivos y la prueba de V.D.R.L. para descartar posibles reacciones cruzadas que pudiesen ocurrir entre Borrelia burgdorferi y Treponema pallidum. Resultados. Se encontraron cuatro casos confirmados de enfermedad de Lyme en la comunidad de Chiquiacá y once casos de sífilis en toda el área de estudio. Conclusiones. Se demuestra por primera vez, la presencia de la enfermedad de Lyme en nuestro medio, la que se debe dar a conocer y aplicar las medidas pertinentes para su control y tratamiento.
Research question. Is there Lyme disease in Bolivia? Objective. To determine the disease in a possible endemic area. Population. People living in the Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna in Tariquia. Design. Exploratory and descriptive study Method. Blood samples were taken in the key areas of the people in the reserve who were informed of the purpose of the study. There were two screening tests: Immune assay and indirect immunofluorescence. Immunoblot test to confirm positive cases and a VDRL test to rule out cross reactions with the T. pallidum. Results. Four cases of Lyme disease and 11 cases of syphilis were found. Conclusions. This is the first time that cases of Lyme disease are found in Bolivia. Health personnel and population should be informed and made aware of the disease, its consequences and treatment.
Research question. Is there Lyme disease in Bolivia? Objective. To determine the disease in a possible endemic area. Population. People living in the Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna in Tariquia. Design. Exploratory and descriptive study Method. Blood samples were taken in the key areas of the people in the reserve who were informed of the purpose of the study. There were two screening tests: Immune assay and indirect immunofluorescence. Immunoblot test to confirm positive cases and a VDRL test to rule out cross reactions with the T. pallidum. Results. Four cases of Lyme disease and 11 cases of syphilis were found. Conclusions. This is the first time that cases of Lyme disease are found in Bolivia. Health personnel and population should be informed and made aware of the disease, its consequences and treatment.
Description
Vol. 42, No. 3