Seroprevalence of Hydatidosis in Referrers to Laboratories of Khoda Afarin Health Center in East Azarbaijan, Iran, within 2018 to 2019

Infection with hydatid cysts or hydatidosis, which is a zoonotic disease, is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus in humans and animals. Hydatidosis infection is endemic in most parts of the country. In Khoda Afarin County in East Azarbaijan, Iran, as a center of animal husbandry, there is a possibility of high exposure to the Echinococcus granulosus egg. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of hydatidosis in this county population.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 295 blood samples were collected from the population of Khoda Afarin County in a test tube without anticoagulant within 2018 to 2019. The samples were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure immunoglobulin G against Echinococcus granulosus. The demographic data of the participants were gathered by a questionnaire, and the results were analyzed using SPSS software (version 18).

Out of 295 samples, 12 (4.07%) people were positive. The highest percentage of seropositivity was reported in the age group of 30-39 years with 3 (3.53%) cases. The frequency rates of seropositivity in urban and rural subjects were 16.7% and 83.3%, respectively.

The obtained results showed a significant prevalence of infection in the study population (similar to those reported in some other studies carried out in different parts of Iran). Therefore, it is essential to focus on the control and prevention of the disease as a priority disease in Khoda Afarin County among different occupations and age groups.