Sero-epidemiology of Hydatidosis Among General Population of Jolfa County, Northwestern Iran Using IHA, ELISA and Western Blot (2017-2018)

Update on the Seroepidemiology of Human Cystic Echinococcosis and Associated Risk Factors in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) poses a significant public health challenge in developing countries, including Iran. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to enhance our understanding of CE prevalence by providing an updated assessment of the general prevalence of human CE in Iran through a comprehensive review of the literature.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases were searched for relevant literature published between January 1990 and December 2023. All peer-reviewed original papers evaluating the seroprevalence of human CE were included. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Cochran's Q and I 2 tests. The funnel plot and Egger's test were used to evaluate potential publication bias.

Results

Sixty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall seroprevalence of human CE in Iran's general population was 4% (95% CI 3%-6%). Significant differences in seropositivity to human CE were observed among age groups, urban versus rural residence, diagnostic methods, and in relation to the presence of dogs at home or on farm. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across the included studies (I 2 = 99.47%; p < 0.001). The funnel plot and Egger's test revealed considerable publication bias (Egger's test; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that CE remains prevalent in Iran, necessitating intensified health interventions and the development of targeted strategies for prevention and control. Recommendations include deworming dogs with praziquantel and vaccination of sheep with recombinant EG95 protein, removing raw offal or carcasses from the diet of dogs, hand washing, fencing of slaughterhouses with offal disposal systems, community participation for the control program and screening strategies for the diagnosis of asymptomatic cases and their timely treatment.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis among the butchers of Tabriz city, the northwest of Iran: a case control study

INTRODUCTION

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. The ELISA test was used to identify IgG and IgM antibodies against toxoplasmosis and IgG antibodies against hydatidosis. The results were analyzed by statistics tests using SPSS v. 16 software. Risk factors' association was tested using Chi square or logistic regression analysis.

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 (OR: 1.014), education level (OR: 0.638), and work experience(OR: 1.695), these factors for hydatidosis included age and education level (OR: 1.765 and 0.271) respectivily.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis and in butchers of Tabriz, which required special attention and basic measures. Moreover, the prevalence of hydatidosis IgG antibodies also requires more attention to be focused on breaking the transmission and reducing the infection.

An Update on the Epidemiological Features of Imported Schistosomiasis and Cystic Echinococcosis in Kuwait, 2010-2018

OBJECTIVE

Kuwait is considered a non-endemic country for most parasitic infections. However, ∼70% of 4.7 million residents in Kuwait are expatriates from Asian and African countries, which are endemic for parasitic infections. Results of microbiological investigations for schistosomiasis and cystic echinococcosis (CE) performed in a reference national laboratory were retrospectively collected and analyzed to provide an insight on the epidemiology of these 2 neglected tropical diseases in Kuwait.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Schistosoma infection in fecal and urine specimens from suspected patients was detected by microscopy. Schistosoma and CE infections were also detected by indirect hemagglutination assays (IHAs) using blood specimens. Patients' epidemiological data were extracted from the laboratory records.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence rates of schistosomiasis and CE were 19.0 and 5.8%, respectively. Almost all schistosomiasis cases were seen among Egyptians, especially among males, and a significantly higher prevalence (p < 0.05) was seen for CE cases among the Syrian residents. A decreasing annual trend was observed for both the parasitic infections over time in Kuwait.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that schistosomiasis is not autochthonous in Kuwait, as all cases were detected among expatriates from Schistosoma-endemic countries. Our data also showed that CE remains endemic among humans and livestock in Kuwait as is also seen in other Middle Eastern countries.