Clinical and Demographic Features of Patients with Hydatid Cyst Admitted in Kerman University Hospitals between ۱۹۹۱-۲۰۰۰

Introduction: Hydatidosis or hydatid cyst, caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most serious cestode infections occurring in man and livestocks in Iran. The present study was carried out in order to determine the frequency distribution of patients with hydatid cyst in the city of Kerman based on clinical and demographic features. Method: Medical files of ۶۰ patients with the diagnosis of hydatid cyst (between ۱۹۹۱-۲۰۰۰) undergoing surgical operations in Kerman University Hospitals were studied. Results: From all ۶۰ patients with hydatid cyst, ۲۹ were female (۴۸.۴%) and ۳۱(۵۱.۶%) were male. The highest frequency rate was among housewife females (۶۹%) and then male farmers (۲۲.۵%). Considering age, the highest frequency was observed in the age group of ۲۱-۳۰ years. In regard to the infection location, liver (۵۰%) and lungs (۴۳.۳%) were the most affected organs, respectively. The most common clinical symptoms were abdominal pain and cough respectively. Most of the patients were living in rural areas (۶۳. ۳%). Conclusion: Considering the high frequency of hydatid cyst in the age group of ۲۱ to ۳۰ years old, in farmers housewives and farmers living in rural areas, designing control programs with emphasize on peoples' training, surveillance of slaughterhouses, elimination of stray dogs and treatment of infected pets and sheep dogs is recommended.