Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Yasuj: A Survey of Ten Year Hospital Records

Introduction & Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection of humans and domestic animals caused by larvae of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Echinococcosis has a world-wide geographic distribution and occurs in all continents. CE is one of the most important zoonotic diseases prevalent in different parts of Iran and human cases are repeatedly reported from medical centers in different regions of Iran. This study was conducted to survey the hospital records of hydatidosis between 1996 and 2006 in Yasuj, southwest of Iran. Hospital records of CE patients from 1996-2006 in three hospitals in Yasuj were carefully studied. Data such as age, sex, occupation, place of residence, number of cyst, cyst location, clinical signs and other related features were recorded in a predestined information sheet. Collected data were statistically analyzed. Results of this study showed that during 1996 to 2006 (10 years) 105 cases of hydatidosis have been admitted in Yasuj hospitals, out of which 70 cases (66.7%) were women and 35 cases (33.3%) were men. Considering the age of patients, the highest rate of infection was recorded in 31-40 year old patients. Female housekeepers with 66.7% of cases were found to be the main victims of the disease. Hepatic cyst was recorded in 81% of cases where nephrotic cyst was the second most prevalent one. Most of the patients (87.8%) had only one cyst, though 11.4% of the patients had 2 cysts and in one case 18 cysts have been isolated from the patient. Recurrence of the disease, based of number of patient's operation, was noted in 14.3% of cases and in one case five times of surgery for removing of hydatid cyst were noted. Results of this study indicate that CE is an endemic disease in the studied area. Data also suggest that the trend and number of CE cases remained unchanged during the 10 years in this area. Therefore, effective steps should be taken to control the disease in this hydatid cyst endemic district.