Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus in the Population of the Region of Thessaly, Central Greece

Abstract

Echinococcosis notification rate in Greece, based on the most recent data, is below 0.25 per 100,000 population. To further investigate the epidemiology of echinococcosis in Greece a study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Echinococcus granulosus antibodies in the population of Thessaly, Central Greece. Five hundred and forty two left over blood samples in Thessaly laboratories, were collected using a stratified convenient sampling procedure. Samples were analyzed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The seropositivity found was 1.1%(95% C.I., 0.5–2.5), with 5 out of 6 seropositive results to be in the age group of over 65 (OR = 17.95, 95%CI 2.04–157.11, p value 0.009). Rural residence was also found as a risk factor to seropositivity (RR = 7.60, 95% CI 0.89–64.64, p value 0.039). Surveillance data and our study results converge that echinococcosis is being reduced in Greece, with older population to be affected mostly. These might be due to the disease transmission restriction, by the control measures being implemented. Efforts should be continued, in both animals and humans side, by increasing training campaigns and public awareness.

Risk factors associated with cystic echinococcosis in humans in selected pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Uganda

“…These findings agreed with what had been observed elsewhere among animal keepers in Denizil, Turkey [21] communities in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China [19,22], among Tibetans in China [15,16] and in Central Ethiopia [23]. This finding was also consistent with the findings in Thessaly region, Central Greece [24] where humans beyond age 65 were significantly associated with seropositivity to IgG antibodies to E. granulosus. The high chances of being infected with CE increased with age this could be attributed to increased exposure to worm eggs over a long period.…”

High seroprevalence of echinococossis, schistosomiasis and toxoplasmosis among the populations in Babati and Monduli districts, Tanzania

“…The difference in infection rates could be due to the fact that the governing bodies place low importance on the dry pastoral areas because they contribute little to the gross domestic product. Sub-Saharan Africa is at the bottom of the list in terms of contribution to world economics, therefore, the majority of the area is underdeveloped, and rural areas are a significant risk factor for cystic echinococcosis [2,33]. Age can be another risk factor [33,34], but in the present study age did not have a significant effect.…”

“…Sub-Saharan Africa is at the bottom of the list in terms of contribution to world economics, therefore, the majority of the area is underdeveloped, and rural areas are a significant risk factor for cystic echinococcosis [2,33]. Age can be another risk factor [33,34], but in the present study age did not have a significant effect. Another risk factor for echinococossis is a high prevalence of hydatidosis in livestock and not de-worming the animals [35].…”

Serological evidence of human cystic echinococcosis and associated risk factors among general population in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran

“…Moreover, serological tests are valuable for the follow-up of patients after surgical or treatment all through epidemiological investigations [11], [12].…”