title: Seroepidemiology of selected zoonotic infections in Basra region of Iraq.
abstract: A community-based seroepidemiological study was made of 4 common zoonotic infections (brucellosis, hydatidosis, toxoplasmosis and visceral leishmaniasis) in 3 areas (rural, urban and suburban semirural) in Basra governorate, southern Iraq. The prevalence of brucellosis was higher in the suburban semirural area (29.3%) than the rural and urban areas. The prevalence of hydatidosis (19.0%-35.5%) and toxoplasmosis (41.1%-52.1%) were relatively high in all 3 areas. With respect to visceral leishmaniasis, low rates of infection were reported (0.2%-1.9%). The study shows in general that the suburban semirural area is at highest risk of zoonotic infections compared with other areas. The results could form a rational basis for the planning of an integrated comprehensive approach for control of zoonotic infections in the areas surveyed.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: A A H
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yacoub
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakr
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hameed
authors.forename: A A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al-Thamery
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fartoci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018881:Suburban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*