ABSTRACT

This study was performed in order to contribute the data on the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Turkey and to reveal this parasitosis problem in Van province.

Blood samples of 2642 patients (1214 men, 1428 women; 506 of them 0-13 age, 2136 of them 14 and over age group), which were sent with suspected CE to Parasitology Laboratory from various policlinics of Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty, between the dates of 01.09.2005 and 01.09.2013, were evaluated for CE by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (R-Biopharm, Germany; IgG) method.

801 (30.3%) of examined blood samples of these patients were found positive for this parasitosis. Seropositivity was found 31.9% of men, 29% of women; 33.4% of 0-13 age group, 29.6% of 14 and over age group in the study. Cysts, which were obtained from operated seropositive patients, were confirmed that unilocular cysts as pathological.

As a result, it was seen that CE is continued to be a major public health problem in Van province and it was appear that comprehensive protection and control programs should be carry out to struggle this disease. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2015; 39: 209-11)

Keywords: Cystic echinococcosis, seroprevalence, Van, Turkey