Seroprevalence of Human Hydatidosis in Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran

Zahra  Heidari; Behnam Mohammadi-Ghalehbin; Zahra  Alizadeh; Soheila  Molaei; Hadi  Peeri Dogaheh; Hafez  Mirzanejad-Asl

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v16i4.7872

Zahra Heidari Department of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Behnam Mohammadi-Ghalehbin Department of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Zahra Alizadeh Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Soheila Molaei Vice-Chancellor of Research & Technology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Hadi Peeri Dogaheh Department of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Hafez Mirzanejad-Asl Department of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v16i4.7872

Keywords: Seroepidemiology; Human hydatidosis; Iran

Abstract

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis is considered a cosmopolitan cyclozoonotic parasitic infection. This study aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis using ELISA test and find the role of mutable factors such as age, sex, occupation, residency in the broadcast of the parasites in rural Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran.

Methods: The study population was 950 asymptomatic individuals selected randomly from urban and rural populations of Ardabil province, North-West of Iran by randomized cluster sampling in 2019-2020. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus spp. were analyzed by ELISA test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Multivariable logistic regression model.

Results: Overall, 42 (4.4%) of the participants had anti E. granulosus antibodies in this region. High titer antibodies were most prevalent in people age group of >70 yr old, rural areas, females and people having history of contact with dog that showed significant difference. There was no significant association between the presence of Echinococcus antibodies and sex, occupation, having history of eating unwashed vegetable.

Conclusion: This is the first description of the seroprevalence of E. granulosus infection in the population in Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran. Obtained rate of hydatidosis approves the importance of diagnosing human cystic echinococcosis in these regions and it is expected that the authorities be careful to screen the disease.