Screening of Cystic Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis in Urmia Municipal Workers, Northwest Iran Publisher Pubmed



Asadi N^{1, 2} ; Tappeh KH¹ ; Mohebbi I³ ; Yousefi E⁴ ; Khademvatan S¹
Source: Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Published:2021

Abstract

Background: Echinococcus granulosus and Toxocara spp., the causative agents of hy-datid cyst and toxocariasis in humans and animals, are zoonotic infections with medical and veteri-nary 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 echinococco-sis 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 hy-datidosis, 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 in-fectious agents; thus, more researches should be done on these populations. © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.