Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Hydatidosis is one of the major zoonotic diseases that cause considerable economic losses and public
health problems worldwide. This study was conducted in order to determine the seropositive aspect of
hydatid disease among people in Sulaimani.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the Seroprevalence of hydatid disease among people in Sulaimani and it’s relation with
age, Gender, occupation and education level.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Two areas of Sulaimani governorate (the Sulaimani city center and Saedsadq as a rural area) were
investigated from April to October 2007. In Sulaimani 372 subjects, 248 were females and 124 were
males. In Saedsadq 164 subjects, 78 female and 86 males were randomly collected.
A Seroepidimiological survey was conducted by using two methods; a- enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA), and b- Indirect Haemagglutination (IHA) test to detect anti Echinococcus granulosus
antibody. There were no significant differences between the Seropositivity by the two tests (P > 0.05).
RESULTS:
The Seropositivity in Saedsadq was (3.7%) higher than in Sulaimani (2.4%). The Seropositivity in
females (2.8%, 6.4%) was higher than in male (1.6%, 1.2%) both in Sulaimani and Saedsadq
respectively.
There was no statistically significant difference between different age groups.
There were no significant differences (P> 0.01) between the seropositive cases and different
occupations in both areas.
Our results implied that the prevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) had significant relationship with
the level of education. Among 15 infected persons in Sulaimani and Saedsadq 9(60%) were illiterate.
CONCLUSION:
Seropositivity for hydatid disease was significantly higher in Saedsadq (3.7%) than Sulaimani city
(2.4%), also it was significantly higher among female, housewife, and illiterate persons.