Seroprevalence of human hydatidosis using ELISA method in Qom Province, Central Iran

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis [CE] in Qom Province, central Iran using ELISA test. Overall, 1564 serum samples [800 males and 764 females] were collected from selected subjects by randomized cluster sampling in 2011-2012. Sera were analyzed by ELISA test using AgB. Before sampling, a questionnaire was filled out for each case. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression for risk factors analysis. Seropositivity was 1.6% [25 cases]. Males [2.2%] showed significantly more positivity than females [0.9%] [P= 0.03]. There was no significant association between CE seropositivity and age group, occupation, and region. Age group of 30-60 years encompassed the highest rate of positivity. The seropositivity of CE was 2.1% and 1.2% for urban and rural cases respectively. Binary logistic regression showed that males were 2.5 times at higher risk for infection than females. Although seroprevalence of CE is relatively low in Qom Province, yet due to the importance of the disease, all preventive measures should be taken into consideration

Seroepidemiological study of human hydatidosis in Meshkinshahr district, Arbadil province, Iran

The aim of this study was to conduct a sero-epidemiological survey in Meshkinshahr, Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran to detect the rate of hydatidosis in the city and nearby villages. Literature shows that no such study has been conducted so far. Overall, 670 serum samples were collected from 194 males and 476 females from patients referred to different health centers of the region. All patients filled out a questionnaire and an informed consent. Sera were analyzed using indirect-ELISA test. Ten micro g/ml antigens [Antigen B derived from hydatid cyst fluid], serum dilutions of 1:500 and conjugate anti-human cocombs with 1:100000 dilutions were utilized to perform the test. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software ver. 11.5. The seroprevalence of human hydatidosis was 1.79% by ELISA test in the region. This rate for females was 1.68% and males 2.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference as regards all factors studied and the seropositivity. According to job, farmers and ranchmen had the highest rate of infection as 3.17%. The sero-prevalence of infection was 2.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference as regards all factors studied and the seropositivity. According to job, farmers and ranchmen had the highest rate of infection as 3.17%. The sero-prevalence of infection was 2.6% in illiterate people which showed the highest rate. As regards residency, urban life showed no significant difference with rural life [1.1% vs. 2.58%]. Age group of 69-90 yr old, with 4.62 as prevalence had the highest rate of positivity. Obtained sero-prevalence of hydatidosis shows more or less a resemblance to other cities of Iran, although due to the specific condition of the city we expected more rate of sero-positivity