Hydatidosis in human and slaughtered herbivores in Mazandaran province, northern Iran

ObjectiveTo determine the rate of hydatid cyst in hospitalized patients and slaughtered animals in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.MethodsIn this descriptive study, files of 34 hospitalized patients who underwent surgery for hydatid cysts during 2003-2008 in Mazandaran province were analyzed. Also, 1 678 343 sheep, 815 635 goats, 451 743 cattle and 1 130 buffaloes were examined carefully for the presence of hydatid cysts in slaughterhouse of Mazandaran province, during 2003-2008.ResultsIn human, the highest rate of hydatidosis was related to 30-39 age group. Infection rate in females was higher than that in males (61.8% vs 31.2%). Cyst involvement of different organs was as follows: liver 76.5%, lung 13.5%, spleen 5.4%, gall bladder 2.7% and abdomen septum 2.9%. In slaughtered animals, overall, 6.38% had liver cyst and 12.70% had lung cyst. Involvement of liver and lung in sheep, goat, cattle and buffalo were 7.09% and 14.70%; 5.12% and 10.20%; 5.97% and 9.60%; and 14.90% and 13.18%, respectively. In sheep, goat and cattle the most infected organ was lung but in buffalo it was liver.ConclusionsThe results show that in human, all age groups and both sexes are exposed to hydatidosis. In livestock it causes economic loss to veterinary industries. Therefore, appropriate control method is needed to prevent this zoonotic disease.