Protozoal infections in Ecuador, public health surveillance and research priorities, 2016-2023: a scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v16i.20643Keywords:
Endemic Diseases, Epidemiology, Parasitic Diseases, Public Health, ZoonosesAbstract
Background and Objectives: Protozoal parasitic infections continue to impact public health in Ecuador, as reflected in reports indicating increases in malaria cases, a moderate presence of leishmaniasis, and the continued endemic status of Chagas disease. This underscores the need to focus policy and research efforts. The objective of this review was to synthesize recent evidence on the detection, diagnosis, and epidemiology of protozoal infections in Ecuador (2016-2023) to guide surveillance and research priorities. Content: Scoping review with searches in PubMed, SCOPUS, and SciELO (Mar-Jul 2024), following PRISMA-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) steps. We included studies conducted in Ecuador, in humans, animals, and the environment, that employed laboratory tests. We extracted species/genus, provincial location, sample type/population, and diagnostic technique. The base protocol was registered in OSF (https://osf.io/8vuc3). Of 1,180 records, 98 studies met the criteria. Most focused on Leishmania spp. and intestinal protozoa, with an increase in agent diversity since 2020 and inclusion of environmental samples. Molecular and serological methods were frequently used, with emphasis on vulnerable populations. Pichincha and Guayas concentrated the widest variety of genera studied, whereas Amazonian provinces had fewer studies. Nationally, Leishmania spp. and Plasmodium spp. were reported in 23 and 17 provinces, respectively. Conclusion: Studies on vectors and reservoirs, spillover, and zoonotic transmission must be strengthened. Research should be expanded in rural and Amazonian areas, and active surveillance should be maintained, incorporating sequencing and integrated “One Health” approaches.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Micaela Gómez-Hinojosa, Agatha Sandoval, Gabriela Naranjo, Miguel Martínez-Fresneda, Grecia Vivas-Colmenares, Andrés Herrera-Yela, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Rubén Ramírez Iglesias
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