The Endemicity of Human Fascioliasis in Guilan Province, Northern Iran: The Baseline for Implementation of Control Strategies



Ashrafi K¹ ; Saadat F¹ ; Oneill S² ; Rahmati B¹ ; Amin Tahmasbi H³ ; Pius Dalton J⁴ ; Nadim A⁵ ; Asadinezhad M⁶ ; Rezvani SM⁷ Show Affiliations
Source: Iranian Journal of Public Health Published:2015

Abstract

Background: The largest global outbreaks of liver fluke disease (Fascioliasis) in humans, caused by species of the ge-nus Fasciola, have occurred in Guilan Province of Iran, affecting more than 15000 people. Although, different aspects of fascioliasis have been the subject of various researches during last two decades, nevertheless no community-based study has been performed in endemic regions of Guilan. The aim of present study was to obtain the basic information needed to develop future control strategies. Methods: Fecal and blood samples were collected from 1, 984 volunteers in the Bandar-Anzali district, the region where previous epidemics occurred. Fecal samples were examined by Kato-Katz and formalin-ether methods for the presence of Fasciola eggs. Sera samples were analyzed by ELISA to detect anti-cathepsin L antibodies. Results: Twenty-seven (1.36%) individuals were seropositive, 9 (0.45%) individuals were egg positive (mean egg count 50.7 (±30.36) eggs per gram of faeces) and 30 individuals (1.51%) were positive using both methods. No statistical association was observed between infection and age, gender, location, occupation, educational status and dietary hab-its. The prevalence of intestinal parasites is also included. Conclusion: Human fascioliasis is hypoendemic in this region and recommends a passive case-finding approach, ef-fective primary prevention measures, health education through mass media and effective veterinary public health measures for control of human disease. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All right reserved.