Hydatid Disease: A Retrospective Study of Three Hospitals in Baghdad during 2003-2008 | ||
| IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE | ||
| Article 1, Volume 25, Issue 1, March 2012, Pages 23-27 | ||
| Author | ||
| Suhair A. AI-Naimi | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Hydatid disease is an infection caused by the larval stage of several species of the genus Echinococcus. It is one of the most important parasitic diseases, especially in the under-developed and developing countries, as man and wide range of vertebrates act as intermediate hosts; dogs, wolves and foxes being the final hosts. The disease is considered as a major public health and economic problem in many countries. The disease epidemiology is lacking and few studies on the rate of infection were recorded from patients admitted to major hospitals in Baghdad. Objectives: This Study was carried out to assess the seriousness of this disease in Baghdad and to study the distribution of the disease according to age, sex, residency, occupation, organ affected, diameter of the cyst, single or multiple and clinical manifestations. Materials and Methods: Three major hospitals in Baghdad were chosen for this study; AL-Kadhmyia Teaching Hospital, Baghdad Teaching Hospital and AL-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. These hospitals are the largest in Iraq with a capacity of about 2062 beds. The recording system in these hospitals is very good, allowing for retrospective study. The records of patients admitted for surgery of these three hospitals were studied for a period of five years (2003-2008). From each patient record, the following information were recorded: age, sex, residence, occupation, organ affected, diameter of the cyst, single or multiple and clinical manifestations. Results: Hydatid disease was found to be still one of the major health problems. The total number of surgically proved cases of Hydatid cysts was 855; 460 cases from AL-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, 263 cases from Baghdad Teaching Hospital and 132 cases from Al-Kadhmyia Teaching Hospital. The total numbers of surgically proved hydatid disease were 855, with a yearly average of 171 cases. The disease affected all age groups, but the majority was between the ages of 20-29 years. The number of females infected was more than males. Generally the high percentage of infection was found in the lung, and then the liver. In the females, the liver was more frequently infected than the males, while the lung was more frequently infected in the male than the females. The highest size of hydatid cysts was found in the liver (more than 20 cm.), while the lowest size found in the lung (less than 5 cm). The highest number of infected patients was farmers. Also this study indicated that, from the lung infected patients 226, 201 liver infected cases and 31 infected in other sites were asymptomatic. Conclusion: It need to plan a program and an effective control, prevention and finally if possible eradication of the disease. A nation wide study should be conducted to determine the incidence and prevalence of the disease in human, as well as in animals. Finally new methods for disease diagnosis should be introduced. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Hydatid Disease; Retrospective Study; Three Hospitals; Baghdad | ||
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