Title:Screening of Cystic Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis in Urmia Municipal Workers, Northwest Iran
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Author(s): Negar Asadi, Khosrow Hazrati Tappeh, Iraj Mohebbi, Elham Yousefi and Shahram Khademvatan*
Affiliation:
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center & Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia,Iran
Keywords:
Cystic echinococcosis, toxocariasis, municipal, workers, Elisa, Serology, IgG.
Abstract:
Background: Echinococcus granulosus and Toxocara spp., the causative agents of hydatid
cyst and toxocariasis in humans and animals, are zoonotic infections with medical and veterinary
significance respectively.
Aim: Herein, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis
in Urmia municipal workers (gardeners and sweepers) in 2018 using ELISA assay.
Objective: There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis
in Urmia municipal workers using ELISA assay. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to
investigate this subject.
Methods: A total of 220 blood samples were obtained from municipal workers with an average age
of 41.31 ± 9.42. Commercial anti-Toxocara canis and hydatid cyst ELISA kits were used to assess
the seroprevalence rates.
Results: Approximately, 14.5% and 2.3% of individuals were seropositive for toxocariasis and hydatidosis,
respectively. Consuming unboiled milk and/or raw/uncooked meat and rural conditions
are risk factors for toxocariasis. Regarding hydatidosis, consuming unwashed vegetables was the
only statistically significant risk factor. Toxocara infection (p = 0.01), but not hydatid cyst (p =
0.05), is more prevalent among sweepers than municipal gardeners.
Conclusion: Due to the occupational condition of municipal workers, they are exposed to many infectious
agents; thus, more researches should be done on these populations.