Seroepidemiological Study of Hydatid Cyst by ELISA Method in East-Azarbaijan Province (۲۰۰۹)

Background & Aims: Hydatidosis as a parasitic zoonotic infection is endemic in Iran, but systematic information about the exact rate of hydatidosis prevalence in different regions of the country is very limited. Because of the importance of disease this study was undertaken in East-azarbaijan province to determine the prevalence rate of hydatidosis by ELISA method. Methods: Totally, ۱۵۰۰ serum samples were collected from patients referred to different health centers in ۸ cities of East-Azarbaijan province in ۲۰۰۹. Antigen B was obtained from infected sheep’s lung and liver. All sera were checked in ۱:۴۰۰ dilution by ELISA test. Optimal antigen concentration and serum dilution were determined by cross-titration method. Data were analyzed with t-test and chi-square. Results: Overall, ۱۹ cases (۱.۲۸%) were positive for human hydatidosis, of whom ۸ cases (۰.۹۳%) were from urban population and ۱۱ cases (۱.۸%) were from rural areas. There was no significant difference between urban and rural population in this regard. Also ۱.۷۶% of females and ۰.۸۳% of males were positive that shows significant difference between two sexes (P<۰.۰۰۱). Age group of ۳۰-۴۰ years old had significantly (P<۰.۰۰۱) the highest rate of positive cases (۱.۶۶%). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, in East Azarbaijan hydatidosis is an important endemic disease with a considerable prevalence. Because of high rate of infection in different age and occupational groups, prevention and control of this disease should be considered as one of the health priorities. Moreover, further studies are needed to investigate the sources and transmission routes of the infection.

Keywords:

Echinococcosis , ELISA , Seroepidemiology , East-Azarbaijan