seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis in alborz province, central iran in 2015

Background: the aim of this study was to conduct a sero-epidemiological survey in alborz province, central iran to detect the rate of hydatidosis in the city and nearby villages. methods: overall, 680 serum samples were collected from 536 male and 127 female subjects referred to differ- ent health centers of karaj, alborz province, central iran and nearby villages in 2014-15. all patients filled out a questionnaire and an informed consent. sera were analyzed using indirect-elisa test with agb. ten μg /ml antigens (proceeded hydatid fluid), serum dilutions of 1:500 and conjugate anti-human coombs with 1:10000 dilutions were utilized to perform the test. data analysis was conducted using spss software ver. 11.5. results: twenty-three cases (3.4%) were positive for hydatidosis by elisa test. the prevalence of hydatidosis among females and males was 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively. the rate of the disease was significantly higher in areas where dogs were higher (p<0.05). there was no significant difference as regards age groups, sex, job, resi- dency, and literacy. regarding occupation, housekeepers had the highest rate of infection as 5.9%. the sero- prevalence of infection was 4.2% in bachelors and master people which showed the highest rate. as regards residency, urban life showed no significant difference with rural life (2.8% vs. 4.4%). age group of 30-39 yr old, with 4.3% as prevalence had the highest rate of positivity (p>0.05). conclusion: because of the specific situation of alborz province, and availability of many stray dogs, obtained rate of hydatidosis shows that the authorities should be cautious to monitor the disease.