Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus taeniasis in stray dogs in the region of Constantine (North-East Algeria)

Cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infection) in Tunisia, a One Health perspective for a future control programme

The emergence of pandemics with dramatic consequences for human health has obscured endemic diseases that continue to pose a problem for human and animal health in several regions of the world. Among these diseases, cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by a group of cestodes, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, remains a real human and animal health problem in several regions of the world, including the Mediterranean Basin. Despite the implementation of a number of governmental control programmes using several tools (dog treatment, meat inspection, etc.), this infection is still highly prevalent in North Africa. Here we present a review of the epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis in Tunisia, an analysis of the constraints limiting the effectiveness of the control programmes implemented, and finally argue for the use of the One Health framework to improve the effectiveness of future programmes.

Attitude and awareness of Algerian university students about cystic echinococcosis: A cross-sectional study

Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals with considerable socioeconomic impact on affected pastoral and poor communities. CE is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, including Algeria posing a real threat for either animal and public health. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge of Algerian university students about this disease and to describe their attitude toward some risky practices. Results showed that despite that a high number of students (76.1%) have heard about CE, their level of knowledge is however medium (63.3%) especially among students of non medical and life sciences specialties. The gaps of knowledge concerns especially the life cycle of the parasite even they are aware about the association of dogs (43.7%) and sheep (59.4%) and considered that dogs are the main source of contamination of humans (58.1%) through contaminated foods (45%) or direct contact with their faeces (44.5%). Regarding their practice, a good level was shown since washing vegetables (99.2%) and washing hands after touching a dog (97.9%) and dogs deworming (82%) were common. These results highlight the need to improve knowledge about the transmission cycle of the parasite through awareness campaign targeting students which could be helpful in CE eradication.

Africa-wide meta-analysis on the prevalence and distribution of human cystic echinococcosis and canine Echinococcus granulosus infections

BACKGROUND

Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis of increasing public health concern worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 19,300 lives and 871,000 disability-adjusted life-years are lost globally each year because of cystic echinococcosis. Annual costs associated with cystic echinococcosis were estimated at US$ 3 billion because of treatment of cases and losses in the livestock industry.

METHODS

We performed the random-effects model of meta-analysis using 51-year (1970-2021) data available from AJOL, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science. We also applied the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal instrument for studies reporting prevalence data, the Cochran's Q-test, Egger's regression test and the single study deletion technique to respectively examine within-study bias, heterogeneity, across-study bias and sensitivity.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine eligible studies on human cystic echinococcosis (HCE) from 13 countries across the five African sub-regions showed an overall prevalence of 1.7% (95% CI 1.1, 2.6) with a statistically significant (P < 0.001) sub-group range of 0.0% (95% CI 0.0, 14.1) to 11.0% (95% CI 7.6, 15.7). Highest prevalences were observed in Eastern Africa (2.7%; 95% CI 1.4, 5.4) by sub-region and Sudan (49.6%; 95% 41.2, 58.1) by country. Another set of 42 studies on Echinococcus granulosus infections (EGI) in dogs from 14 countries across the five African sub-regions revealed an overall prevalence of 16.9% (95% CI 12.7, 22.3) with a significant (P < 0.001) variation of 0.4 (95% CI 0.0, 5.9) to 35.8% (95% CI 25.4, 47.8) across sub-groups. Highest prevalences of E. granulosus were observed in North Africa (25.6%; 95% CI 20.4, 31.6) by sub-region and Libya (9.2%; 95% CI 5.7, 13.9) by country.

CONCLUSION

Human cystic echinococcosis and EGI are respectively prevalent among Africans and African dogs. We recommend a holistic control approach that targets humans, livestock, dogs and the environment, which all play roles in disease transmission. This approach should involve strategic use of anthelminthics in animals, standardized veterinary meat inspection in abattoirs, control of stray dogs to reduce environmental contamination and proper environmental sanitation. Mass screening of humans in hyper-endemic regions will also encourage early detection and treatment.

Frozen hydatid cysts can replace incineration and sterilize cysts

In many countries of Mediterranean area, abattoirs are not equipped with incinerators. This led us to find an alternative that may be the freezing of organs before they are thrown into landfills. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the scolicidal effect of refrigeration at 4°C and freezing at -18°C. Different refrigeration times (24 and 48 h) and freezing times (3, 6, and 9 h) have been used in triplicate. Refrigeration at 4°C was not sufficient to completely kill protoscolex. For 24 h, the mortality rate did not exceed 44.44%. After 48 h, mortality rates varied from 20.13% to 65.49%. The freezing at -18 °C for 3 h remained insufficient to kill all protoscoleces although the mortality rate increased to 87.28%. However, freezing at -18 °C for 6 and 9 h has been found to be very effective in killing all protoscoleces present in the hydatid liquids. The present study demonstrates that freezing organs seized for hydatidosis at -18°C for at least 6 h may be an alternative to incineration and will sterilize hydatid cysts before they are dumped.