Seroepidemiology of Human Hydatid Cyst and Prevalence of Hydatid Cyst in Slaughtered Livestock at Sarpol Zahab Slaughterhouse in 2018

Background & aim: Hydatid cyst is one of the most common parasitic human and animal diseases in the world and Iran as well and, is important from health and economic viewpoint. Understanding the latest status of the disease prevalence and its associated factors is essential for decision makers and health authorities in each region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hydatid cyst in slaughtered livestock in Sarpol Zahab city and the sero-epidemiology of human hydatid cyst in this city. Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study which was carried out in 2018, carcasses of 3000 cattle, including 1000 cattle, sheep and goats in Sarpol slaughterhouse were studied. Size, fertility, and infectivity were assessed. Moreover, 736 blood samples were collected randomly from health care centers and tested by ELISA. The findings were analyzed in terms of demographic information including age, sex, and occupation, history of contact with dogs and location of their general profile. Data were analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Totally, 8 (1.1%) of patients, 5 (5.62%) men and 3 (5.37%) women were positive for anti-hydatid cyst antibody. There was no statistically significant relationship between positive cases and place of residence, education, sex and history of continuous contact with the dog. The prevalence of hydatid cyst was 8.7% in cattle and 18.8% in sheep, 4.5% in cows and 2.8% in goats. No significant difference was seen between the infection rates in sheep, cattle and goats (p