Seroprevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis and related risk factors for infection among children in a rural community in Fars Province, Southern Iran

Abstract

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid cyst is one of the most common diseases between humans and livestock that is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is a major health and also economic concern in Iran. Most of the studies on CE in different areas of Iran have been conducted in adults and there is little information about the prevalence of the disease in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the seroprevalence of hydatid cyst in children in a rural community in Fars province, southern Iran. Children sera samples were evaluated for anti-hydatid cyst antibodies; using a recombinant B8/1 antigen of E. graunlosus in an ELISA system. Subjects: Blood samples were taken from 578 children living in three villages in Sarmashhad district in Fars province, southern Iran. Results: Of the 578 recruited children, 298 (51.6%) were boys and 280 (48.4%) were girls. The mean age of the children studied was 6.8 (± 3.7) years. Anti-hydatid cyst antibodies were detected in sera of 39 out of 578 children, corresponding to a seroprevalence rate of 6.7%. While age, educational level, keeping dogs in the household, and residential areas had no significant influence on the risk of CE infection (p > 0.05), the correlation between sex and seropositivity to CE was significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that the rate of seroprevalence of hydatid cyst in children in the rural community is high. The study suggests that preventive measurements including the education of the population should begin in early childhood as a large percentage of the adult CE patients are resulted from childhood infection.

Human cystic echinococcosis in southwest Iran: a 15-year retrospective epidemiological study of hospitalized cases

“…CE is considered a neglected disease with significant mortality and morbidity in most of the developing countries [1,4,5 ]. The disease is a major health and economic challenges in the Middle East countries, including Iran where about 1% of all hospital surgeries are accounted for this disease [1,4,5].…”

“…CE is considered a neglected disease with significant mortality and morbidity in most of the developing countries [1,4,5 ]. The disease is a major health and economic challenges in the Middle East countries, including Iran where about 1% of all hospital surgeries are accounted for this disease [1,4,5]. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis reported the overall seroprevalence of CE in Iran to be 4.2% in human hosts, with the highest seroprevalence (5.8%) in the South and the least (2.2%) in the central areas of the country [6].…”

“…CE is one of the most important parasitic diseases in Fars province in the southwest of Iran [5,10]. Fars province is the center of agriculture and animal husbandry in Iran and one of the most important and populated tribal nomads (Qashqai) resides in this area.…”

Epidemiology and clinical features of human cystic echinococcosis in adults from an endemic area (Morocco)

“…6 Several studies have been focused on cystic echinococcosis in children and it has been suggested that in areas where the prevalence of hydatid cyst in adults is high, this prevalence is also high in children. [7][8][9] However, published researches regarding the pattern and characteristics of human CE involvement in adults are rare. The current study aimed to explore the trend and features as well as risk and exposure factors of CE in adults living in an endemic area in Morocco.…”

Human cystic echinococcosis in southwest Iran: a 15-year retrospective epidemiological analysis of 501 consecutive hospitalized cases (2004-2018)

“…CE is considered a neglected disease with significant mortality and morbidity in most of the developing countries [1]. The disease is a major health and economic challenge in the Middle East countries, including Iran where about 1% of all hospital surgeries are accounted for this disease [1][2][3][4][5].…”