ABSTRACT

Common sociocultural behavior and common hygienic habits may lead lead to the existence of parasites in many people living in the same environment. The main objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of disease in individuals sharing the same living space.

A total of 102 individuals with no previous diagnosis of hydatid cyst and sharing the same living space with 40 patients and who were operated on between 2007 and 2011 were included in the study. All the patients were evaluated with chest radiography, abdominal ultrasonography and serological tests.

Thirteen (12.74%) of the 102 individuals who were screened for hydatid cyst were found to have hydatidosis. One patient with pulmonary hydatid had false negative results in serological assays. IHA was negative in two patients, one with hepatic and splenic hydatid cyst, and one with isolated hepatic hydatid cyst; the diagnosis was confirmed by a positive ELISA in both cases.

This study has aimed to demonstrate the risk of developing hydatid cyst in individuals sharing the same living space as patients with hydatid cysts, unlike the screening tests performed in endemic areas. A rate of 12.74% is considerable when applied to larger populations.

Keywords: Hydatid cysts, family, diagnostic tests