[Echinococcosis prevalence in elderly population from Haiyan County of Qinghai Province]

Echinococcus infection in elderly population (60-87 years old) was investigated by serological assay, medical imaging and epidemiology history in August, 2008. A total of 234 subjects from different nationalities were examined. Seven cases were serologically positive for echinococcosis and confirmed by medical imaging. Out of 30 suspected sera-positive cases, 3 were positive by medical imaging. There were 10 confirmed echinococcosis cases with a positive rate of 4.3%. There was significant difference on the prevalence among different towns (P < 0.05), but no significant statistical difference on the prevalence among nationalities, careers and sex. The prevalence in females (4.8%) was higher than that of males (3.6%).