Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis among the butchers of Tabriz City, the northwest of Iran

Abstract

Background: Occupation plays an important role in the spread of infectious diseases in humans. Toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis are world-wide diseases with different routes of transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis and risk factors associated with these diseases among the butchers of Tabriz City, the northwest of Iran. Methods: In this case-control study conducted in Tabriz city in 2023, 250 serum samples were collected from butchers (n = 125) and outpatients referred to Imam Reza Hospital (n = 125) and considered as the case and control groups, respectively. The ELISA test was used to identify IgG and IgM antibodies against toxoplasmosis and IgG antibodies against hydatidosis. The results were analyzed by descriptive statistics tests using SPSS v. 16 software. Results: The results indicated that 66/125 (52.8%) cases and 40/125 controls (32%) were positive for toxoplasmosis IgG antibody. Also, 5/125 (4%) and 1/125 (0.8%) were positive for toxoplasmosis IgM antibody in the case and control groups, respectively. In addition, 10/125 people (8%) were positive for anti-hydatidosis IgG antibody in the case group, while no positive cases were found in the control group. The main risk factors for toxoplasmosis were age, education level, and work experience, these factors for hydatidosis included age and education level. Conclusions: Our results suggest the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis IgG antibodies in butchers of Tabriz, which required special attention and basic measures.