Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is a worldwide-distributed zoonotic parasitic disease. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors potentially associated with Echinococcus granulosus in healthy blood donors from Timis County, an endemic region in Western Romania. Serum samples were collected from 1347 Romanian blood donors. Serologic tests to determine the presence of anti-Echinococcus antibodies were performed using an anti-Echinococcus-ELISA immunoassay. Anti-Echinococcus antibodies were detected in 38 blood donors, indicating an overall seroprevalence of 2.8%. The seropositivity rate was 3.7% in females and 3.1% in blood donors residing in urban areas. The highest seropositivity was found in the age group of 31-40 years (3.6%). There were no significant differences between Echinococcus seropositivity and gender, area of residence, age, contact with dogs, or raising sheep. This serologic survey evaluated for the first time the presence of Echinococcus antibodies in healthy blood donors from Western Romania and the potential risk factors associated with echinococcosis. Our results suggest that this zoonotic infection might evolve asymptomatically in apparently healthy individuals. Further studies should be conducted in the general population to estimate the true extent of human echinococcosis and its risk factors.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
