[Human hydatidosis in Sardinia. Epidemiologic study of the cases operated on from 1974 to 1981]

A retrospective survey of surgical cases to obtain baseline data on hydatid disease in Sardinia from 1974 to 1981 revealed an annual mean rate of 11.1/100.000 population. However, real prevalence is obviously higher, since infection is not always synonymous with disease and surgical incidence should be regarded as the figure that counts. Information on sex, age, residence, occupation, cyst location, number of re-operations was collected to assess the public health impact to hydatidosis within the island. The obtained results indicate that not all population is at equal risk, being hydatid disease most prevalent in rural areas and particularly in the districts where sheep-breeding is highly diffused (annual mean rate greater than 20/100.000 population). The highest rate was observed in farmers and shepherds (34.2/100.000) respect to retired (14.1/100.000), housewives (10.9/100.000), employed in services (8.9/100.000) and students (8.3/100.000). Over 55% of the cysts were found in the liver, about 30% in the lung and 15% in other sites. A correlation between age and cyst location and between profession and cyst location was shown. Pulmonary cysts were prevalent in children and young people, hepatic in grown-up people, whereas nearly the same hepatic and pulmonary frequency was observed in shepherds. Comparisons between previous surveyed periods were done and results were discussed, suggesting the need of a continuous and well-planned control programme.