Seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis Infection in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Livestock and Raw Meat: A Cross-Control Study
Seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis Infection in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Livestock and Raw Meat: A Cross-Control Study
Mahsa Esmaeilifallah,1Reza Kalantari,2Seyed Hossein Hejazi,3,*Zahra Ghayour,4Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi,5Parisa Mousavi,6
1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 3. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 4. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 5. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 6. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Introduction: Echinococcus granulosus and thus Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is present globally. The expectancy of CE transmitted from livestock and raw meat to humans is a public health problem and is an example of the One Health theory. This survey aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors related to this common infection in individuals occupationally exposed (IOE) to livestock, raw meat, and viscera in industrial slaughterhouses and livestock fields compared with the control group in Isfahan province, central Iran.
Methods: This study is a case-control survey carried out on the 401 serum samples of IOE (including slaughterhouse workers, butchers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, livestock farmers, and farm workers) compared to 401 archived samples of the general population (that all matched with cases by region, age, and gender). All 802 samples were investigated for echinococcosis IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Although the odd ratio was 2.5 times higher in IOE compared to the control group (1.2% versus 0.5%), it was not statistically significant (p 0.225). According to our knowledge, this is the first case-control study on the seroprevalence of E. granulosus in IOE in central Iran.
Conclusion: Based on the nature of the disease (involving both animals and humans), echinococcosis is highly prevalent in pastoralist communities that move across national borders, a firm response to control CE will require interdisciplinary and transboundary partnerships. Considering the similar disease ecosystems, livestock trade routes and management systems, it is paramount to awareness of disease epidemiology in various regions.