Mehdi Assmar, Ahad Milaninia, Aref Amirkhani, Davood Yadegari, Kambis Forghanparast, Hossain Nahravanian, Nuraie Piazak, Ahmadreza Esmayli, Arpi Hovanesian, Zarrint Aj Valadkhani,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (9-1991)
Abstract
Following an outbreak of fascioliasis in Anzali Harbor in 1988, 452
blood samples were collected using a multistage sampling method for
hematological and serological studies. After determination of eosinophilia
in the samples, antifasciolia antibodies in the sera were also determined using
enzyme linked immuno sorbant assay (ELISA) and counter-current immuno
electrophoresis (CCIE).
64.2% of the samples were collected from women and omitting the age
effect and P<0.05, the rate of infection was 1.16 times more in women than in
men as shown by hypereosinophilia and ELISA test results. Age distribution
of seropositivity in both sexes with p<0.001 was statistically significant and
the highest rate of seropositivity was seen among the below 20 age group in
both sexes.
The highest expected rate of seropositivity (24.12) was observed in
location six (Taleghan area), but an average and more uniform distribution
was seen in other locations.
50% of the samples using ELISA techniques and 34.95% using CCIE
were positive indicating that point prevalence of the disease was in Anzali
Harbor.
It must be noted that all antibody positive samples showed hypereosinophilia
as well and that ELISA technique was 52.6% more sensitive compared
to CCIE.
Of the 50% antibody positive cases, 13.7% had only IgG, 26.5% both
IgG and IgM and 37.6% only IgM showing the chronic, subacute and acute
condition of the disease respectively. The remaining 22% of the cases were
IgA positive. In this investigation an incidence rate of 19% was obtained
using ELISA technique which was indicative of a fasciolia epidemic in the
region.
