The Endemicity of Human Fascioliasis in Guilan Province,Northern Iran: the Baseline For Implementation of Control Strategies

Background: the largest global outbreaks of liver fluke disease (fascioliasis) in humans,caused by species of the ge-nus fasciola,have occurred in guilan province of iran,affecting more than 15000 people. although,different aspects of fascioliasis have been the subject of various researches during last two decades,nevertheless no community-based study has been performed in endemic regions of guilan. the aim of present study was to obtain the basic information needed to develop future control strategies. methods: fecal and blood samples were collected from 1,984 volunteers in the bandar-anzali district,the region where previous epidemics occurred. fecal samples were examined by kato-katz and formalin-ether methods for the presence of fasciola eggs. sera samples were analyzed by elisa to detect anti-cathepsin l antibodies. results: twenty-seven (1.36%) individuals were seropositive,9 (0.45%) individuals were egg positive (mean egg count 50.7 (±30.36) eggs per gram of faeces) and 30 individuals (1.51%) were positive using both methods. no statistical association was observed between infection and age,gender,location,occupation,educational status and dietary hab-its. the prevalence of intestinal parasites is also included. conclusion: human fascioliasis is hypoendemic in this region and recommends a passive case-finding approach,ef-fective primary prevention measures,health education through mass media and effective veterinary public health measures for control of human disease. © 2015,iranian journal of public health. all right reserved.