The prevalence of human cystic echinococcosis in an endemic region of Adana: A pilot radiologic-serologic survey

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis in which most transmission depends on domestic animal reservoir hosts, livestock husbandry and dog management practices as well as human behavior. CE remains silent for years before the enlarging cysts cause symptoms in the affected organs. Radiographic surveys using imaging techniques, especially portable ultrasound (US) scanners at community level, provide a relatively new mass screening approach for human surveillance in CE control programs. This study conducted in a district of Adana located in the southeastern part of Turkey, aimed to find out the prevalence of CE. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in two selected villages named Kürkçüler and Bagtepe, Adana in 2006. Samples were collected from 1272 participants who were screened by portable US and by chest x-ray and were analyzed for anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) tests. Results: Of the total participants 46 (3.6%) were diagnosed with CE by US. No cystic lesions were detected by chest x-ray films. Forty (3.1%) and 41 (3.2%) participants were positive for CE by ELISA and WB tests, respectively. Of the US-positive CE participants 54.3% were antibody seropositive by ELISA and 73.9% by WB. Sera samples taken from US-negative participants were 1.2% seropositive by ELISA and 0.6% by WB. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that US combined with radiological and serological surveys should be used for the diagnosis of CE in the field. Copyright © 2009 by Türkiye Klinikleri