Investigating Hydatid Diseases Cases in Mosul Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Hydatid disease, a zoonotic parasitic infection, remains a significant public health concern in Iraq. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hydatid disease cases in major hospitals in Mosul, Iraq.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 on 50 patients diagnosed with hydatid cysts. Data on age, gender, cyst location, number, and size were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Statistical significance was set at a p-value ≤ 0.05. An independent samples t-test was used to compare the mean number of cysts between patient groups.

Results: The highest infection rate was observed in the 1-10 years age group (22%, 11/50), followed by the 21-30 years age group (20%, 10/50). The infection rate was slightly higher in males (52%, 26/50) than in females (48%, 24/50). The liver was the most commonly affected organ (61.29%, 38/62 cysts), followed by the lungs (29.03%, 18/62 cysts). A significant difference was found between the number of patients with a single cyst (78%, 39/50) and those with multiple cysts (22%, 11/50) (p = 0.006).

Conclusion: This study confirms the endemicity of hydatid disease in Mosul, with a higher incidence among younger age groups and a slight male predominance. The liver is the primary target organ, with most cases involving a single cyst. These findings highlight the urgent need for robust public health interventions focused on source control and public awareness.