Increasing trends in seroprevalence of human hydatidosis in North India: a hospital-based study.

A retrospective analysis of laboratory data of 3290 clinically suspected and/or radiologically confirmed cases of hydatidosis revealed that 495 (15%) were positive for specific antibody response. Casoni's test was positive in 481/1938 (24.82%) patients. A significant increase (P<0.001) in seropositivity was observed during the last 5 years (23.12%, 1999-2003) as compared with previous years (10.97%, 1984-1998), and a similar increase (P<0.001) in positive Casoni's test was also observed (33.83%, 1999-2003 versus 21.38%, 1984-1998) during the same time period.