Seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis and risk factors in animal breeders in rural communities in Denizli, Turkey

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious public health problem in sheep-raising regions of Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of echinococcosis in rural regions of Denizli in Turkey. This study was undertaken in four townships in Denizli County b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of infection in developing countries 2014-09, Vol.8 (9), p.1188-1194
Main Authors: Akalin, Serife, Kutlu, Selda Sayin, Caylak, Selmin D, Onal, Ozgur, Kaya, Selcuk, Bozkurt, Ali Ihsan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Animal Husbandry
Animals
Animals, Domestic
Antibodies, Helminth - blood
Echinococcosis - epidemiology
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate analysis
Risk Factors
Rural Population
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Turkey - epidemiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious public health problem in sheep-raising regions of Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of echinococcosis in rural regions of Denizli in Turkey. This study was undertaken in four townships in Denizli County between May 2009 and July 2009. Family members were interviewed to assess possible risk factors for infection and tested for anti-E. granulosus antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 1,133 individuals included in the study, 78 (6.9%) were found to be anti-EG seropositive. Multivariate analysis showed that the 30-39 year age group (odds ratio [OR]: 3.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30 ± 8.33; p = 0.01), the ≥ 60 year group (OR: 4.08; 95% CI: 1.57 ± 10.61; p = 0.004), and the group that reported sometimes or never getting veterinary care for their animals (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.05 ± 2.93; p = 0.032) had higher rates of seropositivity. Multivariate analysis showed that education was not significantly associated with seropositivity. Furthermore, no significant correlation with location, occupation, dog ownership or contact with dogs, or with cattle and/or sheep/goat ownership was found. Regular veterinary care and education had significant effects on lowering the prevalence of CE. Our results suggest that preventive measures, such as regular veterinary care for animals and educative and supportive activities oriented to the people working in farming and animal husbandry should be taken to decrease the prevalence of human CE in Turkey.
ISSN:1972-2680
2036-6590
1972-2680
DOI:10.3855/jidc.4343