human hydatidosis/echinococosis in north eastern iran from 2003-2012

background: human cystic echinococcosis (hydatidosis) continues to be an essen­tial cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. methods: we studied hydatid cyst pattern in hospitalized adult patients from 2003 to 2012 in mashhad and neyshabour , northeast of iran. results: overall, 1342 patients, 711 females (53%) and 631 males (47%) diag­nosed as infected with hydatid cyst were evaluated. their age was between 1 and 91 yr (mean age 37.75). the most affected age group was 20-30 yr old. totally, 953 cases (71%) were urban and 375 cases (27.8%) were rural residents. the most com­mon localization of cysts was the liver and lung. the housewives were the most frequently infected occupations. conclusion: the rate of infection with hydatid cyst is high in mashhad, northeast of iran, and the incidence of human hydatidosis tends to increase in recent years so control and prevention programs are recommended.