RETRAIT : Seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb in Morocco

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The highest annual incidence in humans in Morocco is recorded in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb. Hospital statistics underestimate the prevalence of this infection because a proportion of cases is not recorded on official registers and does not reach medical care. We aimed to estimate the actual prevalence of abdominal hydatidosis in these provinces of the Middle Atlas of Morocco. Materials and methods We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of prevalence between September 2013 and February 2015 in the two towns of Timahdite and Ain Leuh in the province of Ifrane and the towns of Bouderbala and Sebt Jahjouh in the province of El Hajeb. This was a mass screening survey of liver hydatid cysts coupled with serological diagnosis. Results A total of 5367 participants underwent abdominal ultrasound, and 102 were selected. CE prevalence was 1.9%; 69 patients were screened in the province of Ifrane and 33 in the province of El Hajeb. The M/F sex ratio was 0.52 and the mean age was 39.6 ± 18 years. Conclusion Our results indicated a high prevalence and continuous transmission of hydatidosis in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb of the Middle Atlas in Morocco. Mass screening campaigns are useful for evaluating the baseline prevalence, evolution of transmission, and risk factors for hydatidosis in endemic areas.