Short report: endemic focus of cystic echinococcosis in a coastal city of Peru.

No evidence of Echinococcus granulosus infection has been described in the coastal region of Peru, with the exception of the capital city of Lima. Anecdotal evidence suggests the existence of a focus of echinococcosis in the coastal city of Chincha, located south of Lima. We conducted a preliminary epidemiologic study in Chincha, which included an ultrasound, chest radiography, and serologic survey of abattoir workers, a review of medical records from local hospitals, and examination of the intestines of stray dogs to determine the presence of canine echinococcosis.