Abstract
Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroepidemiological status and associated risk factors of CE in South Khorasan province, Iran.
Methods: Overall, 400 participants were systematically recruited from comprehensive health service centers. Demographic data and risk profiles (dog contact, raw vegetable consumption, and handwashing routines) were collected after obtaining informed consent. Serum samples were tested for anti-Echinococcus immunoglobulin G using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Finally, the associations between seropositivity and various exposures were assessed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.
Results: In general, 5 out of 400 subjects tested positive, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 1.25%. Although men exhibited a marginally higher rate (2.3%) than women (0.7%), this difference was not significant. Irregular handwashing and frequent consumption of raw vegetables revealed significant associations with increased seroprevalence. Meanwhile, dog ownership, urban vs. rural residence, and educational status demonstrated no statistically significant relationships. Moreover, farmer occupation had notably higher positivity (8.5%) than other groups.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the role of personal hygiene and dietary practices in transmission. Despite a relatively low prevalence, CE remains an ongoing public health concern in Birjand, particularly for certain high-risk groups. Accordingly, preventive efforts (e.g., promoting regular handwashing, ensuring careful vegetable cleaning, and strengthening livestock management) merit attention from local health authorities.