Seroepidemiological survey of tularaemia in western Iran

INTRODUCTION: Tularaemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. The first human case of tularaemia (glandular tularaemia) in Iran was reported in Marivan city, southwest Kurdistan (western Iran) in 1980.  There have been no subsequent  reports of tularaemia in Iran. The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of tularaemia among high risk groups in the province of Kurdistan.

METHODS:  This study was carried out between 2011-2012 among hunters and their families, butchers, health care workers and those referred to medical diagnostic laboratories in the south and southwest of Kurdistan province. 250 sera samples were collected from these groups with a questionnaire containing personal and behavioural information. Sera were tested using ELISA kit to detect specific IgG antibodies against F. tularensis.

RESULTS:  Of a total of 250 sera, 14.40% of samples had anti-tularaemia antibodies and 13.20% were borderline. The highest and the lowest seroprevalence was in hunters (18%) and health care workers (12%) respectively. Age had a significant positive association with tularaemia seroprevalence (p<0.001). The seroprevalence of tularaemia in those exposed to foxes (hunting or eating its meat) (25%) was significantly higher than   in others (8.65%) (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high anti-tularaemia antibody seroprevalence among a high risk population in the west of Iran. It is suggested that physicians and health care workers are informed  of bacteria circulating in this area. Similar studies in other parts of the country and on domestic and wild animals will clarify epidemiological aspects of tularaemia in Iran.