Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

en Seroepidemiology of Hydatid Cyst in Rural Areas of Kashan City in 2024 Epidemiology Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Hydatid cyst is considered a significant zoonotic disease in many countries worldwide, including Iran. This disease, caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, can result in serious health and economic problems. The aim of this study was to explore the seroprevalence of hydatid cyst and its associated risk factors in rural areas of Kashan in 2024. Materials and Methods: This seroprevalence survey was undertaken on 280 residents of rural areas in Kashan. Blood samples were collected from individuals and tested them for antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Demographic data, as well as data on some associated risk factors, were collected using the study checklist, and the chi-square test was used to compare groups. Results: The results revealed that 98.2% of the samples had a negative result, 1.4% were suspected, and 0.4% were positive. No statistically significant associations were observed between demographic variables, including gender, occupation, education level, consumption of raw vegetables, and vegetable washing methods, and the seroprevalence of hydatid cyst (p > 0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, hydatid cysts are relatively rare in Kashan's rural areas. Nevertheless, contact with dogs was identified as a potential risk factor. Conducting complementary studies with a larger sample size and examining other environmental and lifestyle factors are recommended. Further, implementing educational programs to lower contact with infected dogs and improve food washing methods can be effective in preventing this disease.</div> Hydatid Cyst, Seroprevalence, Kashan, ELISA 5 12 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-986-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Abolfazl Masoumi Koushk mehdi abolfazlmasoumi1998@yahoo.com 22400319475328460013605 0009-0002-6725-3291 No M.Sc. in Medical Parasitology, Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Kashan University of Medical Sciences Sina Karami sinakarami.tutor@gmail.com 22400319475328460013606 22400319475328460013606 No B.Sc. in Clinical Laboratory, Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Kashan University of Medical Sciences Farhat Sadat Firouzeh farhat1378@gmail.com 22400319475328460013607 22400319475328460013607 No B.Sc. in Clinical Laboratory, Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Mahdi Nazeri mehdinazeri@yahoo.com 22400319475328460013608 22400319475328460013608 No Associate Prof., Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Kashan University of Medical Sciences Maryam Gharibi m68097420@gmail.com 22400319475328460013609 0009-0008-2737-5298 No M.Sc. Student in Medical Parasitology, Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Kashan University of Medical Sciences Mohammad Reza Shiee Msh2006ir@yahoo.com 22400319475328460013610 22400319475328460013610 Yes Assistant Prof., Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Kashan University of Medical Sciences