Serological survey of tularemia among butchers and slaughterhouse workers in Iran.

BACKGROUND Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. Human infections often occur through manipulation of infected animals or animal carcasses. METHODS In this study, we determined the tularemia seroprevalence in butchers and slaughterhouse workers in 10 counties of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran. RESULTS A mean seroprevalence of 6.5% for IgG antibodies against F. tularensis was seen. The highest seropositivity rates were observed in the counties of Zabol and Nikhshahr. There was no difference in the seroprevalence rates between butchers and slaughterhouse workers (p=0.25). CONCLUSION These data suggest that tularemia is endemic in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran.