Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus by ELISA Method Using Recombinant Agb in Lorestan Province, Western Iran

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease with global prevalence, which causes considerable health problems and economic losses throughout the world. The aim of this study was to assess the seroepidemiology of CE in Doroud City, Lorestan Province, Iran, considered a neglected endemic location. METHODS: An ELISA was performed using recombinant AgB from Apr to Jul 2015 in Lorestan Province, Western Iran. The commercial Hydatidosis IgG ELISA kit (Vircell SL, Granada, Spain) was used to confirm the obtained results. RESULTS: In the present study, out of 927 collected sera, 25 samples (2.6%) were found as seropositive for E. granulosus IgG antibodies. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against E. granulosus was significantly higher in rural areas (3.24%) than in urban area (1.20%) (P<0.001). Moreover, there was no significant relationship between age, occupation, sex, and literacy with seropositivity (P>0.05). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of CE in males (13/349, 3.72%) and females (12/553, 2.12%). With regard to occupation, farmers and ranchmen had the highest rate of infection (5.5%). There was a significant association between eating unwashed vegetables and seropositivity (P<0.001). Seropositive cases in rural areas were more than in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Since all the seropositive cases used unwashed local vegetables, the contamination may occur through the consumption of such vegetables.