Screening of cystic echinococcosis and toxocariasis in rural inhabitants of Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran

Echinococcosis and toxocariasis are considered two important zoonotic diseases worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis and toxocariasis and identify the role of variable factors such as age, gender, occupation, level of education, and having contact with domestic dogs and cats in the transmission of the parasites in rural inhabitants of Khuzestan Province, located in the southwest of Iran. A total of 410 rural inhabitants, who had contact with domestic dogs and cats, were randomly enrolled in the current study. Antigen B (AgB) was purified from the hydatid cyst fluid, and the ELISA test was performed for seropositive detection of cystic echinococcosis. Toxocara IgG was evaluated by ELISA DRG kit, and the positive samples were examined by Western blotting IgG LDBIO kit to confirm and validate the results of ELISA. Of the 410 sera examined, 20 (4.9%) samples were positive for cystic echinococcosis by ELISA test. A significant association was observed on the different type of occupations and seropositivity (p