Seroepidemiology of Human Hydatidosis in Golestan Province, Iran

Background: Hydatidosis is one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide. So far no survey was conducted to determine the rate of human hydatidosis in Golestan Province, so using IFA and ELISA tests the prevalence of this disease was detected in patients referred to health centers in this province. Methods: Totally 1024 serum samples were collected from patients referred to different health centers in 4 cities of Gloestan Province including Gorgan, Gonbad kawoos, Aliabad Katool and Kordkoy. All the sera were examined using IFA and ELISA tests. Results: Twenty four cases (2.34%) were positive for hydatidosis in Golestan Province using IFA, whereas 22 cases (2.15%) showed positivity using ELISA. Gorgan, Gonbadkaoos, Aliabad Katool and Kordkoy demonstrated the rate of positivity as 1.41%, 2.40%, 5.36% and 2.30%, respectively, but no significant difference was seen. As to positivity, there was no significant difference between age groups, sex, different cities and rural or urban life, but a significant different was seen according to job and literacy (P 0.001). According to Job and literacy, housewives and illiterates had the highest rate of infection as 3.67% and 3.72%, respectively. As regards residency, urban life showed no significant difference with rural life (2.47% vs. 2.45%). Age group of 40-49 years old had the highest rate of positivity (3.95%). Females were more infected than males (3.16% vs. 1.93%). Conclusion: The rate of prevalence in this province shows somehow a resemblance with the other cities in Iran. Considering the lifestyle in this province a complementary study is suggested in all related cities.