Human cystic echinococcosis in west Azerbaijan, northwest Iran: A retrospective hospital based survey from 2000 to 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in west
Azerbaijan, Iran during a 10 year period (2000-2009).
Methods: We surveyed medical records of infected patients with hydatid cyst who had been operated
in four hospitals in Urmia City, the capital of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Several parameters
were analyzed including age, sex, place of residency, hospitalization time, and the location of
cysts.
Results: Of 294 cases, 53.3% were female and 46.7% were male with the mean age of 39.4 years (5–
93). The average number of operated cysts per year was 29.4 (0.98/100,000 of population). The most
affected age group was 20-30 year olds (18.7% of the cases). Cysts were localized in liver and lung in
57.5% and 21.8% of cases respectively and the average hospitalization time was 9 days. Single organ
involvement was seen in the majority of patients and 28 (9.5%) cases had multiple involvement. The
distribution of residence in patients showed 108 (36.9%) of them to have urban origin and 185
(63.1%) were rural residents. The lowest number (n=17) and the highest number of operation (n=
48) recorded in 2000 and 2007, respectively.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hydatidosis is high in this city and further studies are needed for
evaluation of economic burden and risk factors for CE in this region