Control program against hydatidosis and the decreased prevalence in Uruguay

Epidemiological study on bovine cystic echinococcosis: Abattoir survey, cyst characterization and its economic impact at Mekaneyesuse municipality abattoir, Northwest Ethiopia

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major medical and veterinary concern in the world. It is one of the significant diseases in livestock farming communities managed under extensive grazing system like Ethiopia. Domestic intermediate hosts are an important reservoir for the disease spread. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the occurrence and economic losses associated with CE in cattle slaughtered at Mekaneyesuse Municipality abattoir, South Gondor zone of Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia. Ante-mortem inspection, postmortem examinations of organs, hydatid cyst characterization and financial loss estimations were conducted. The study was conducted on 384 cattle. The involvement of different organs was as follows: lungs (46.09%), liver (45.22%), heart (6.09%), and kidneys (2.6%). Out of the total of 115 cysts observed, small cysts constituted 57.39%, medium-sized were 34.78%, and large cysts accounted for 7.83%. Of these 115 cysts, 53.9% were fertile which included both viable (29%) and non-viable (71%) cysts. Furthermore, 46.1% cysts were non fertile, 62.3% were sterile and 37.7% were calcified. Based on the origin of animal, the prevalence of hydatid cysts was recorded to be 31.25%, 24%, 22.05% and 14.25% in Tachgayent, Semada, Andabet and Estie district, respectively. Higher cyst occurrence was observed in animals with poor body condition (51.56%) followed by medium (13.7%) and good body condition scores (8.25%). The total annual economic loss due to the direct condemnation of organs and indirect losses were estimated to be 851,252.68 ETB ($16,061.06). This study revealed that CE is economically important disease at Mekaneyesuse, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia. A more comprehensive investigation is required on prevalence and genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. cysts is important also to identify and estimate the relative contribution of each species or genotype to the disease in this area. Moreover, efforts to enhance public awareness in the area should also be pursued.

Importance of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered herbivores from Iran

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis is well-known as one of the zoonotic diseases in world-wide including Iran. Hydatidosis was considered as a disease that causes severe reduction in meat wool and milk in livestock animals which all of them indicating its importance. Thus, present study was designed to evaluated prevalence of CE in slaughtered animals from Delfan region in Lorestan province of Iran. The samples 6,885 animals were considered based on type of species in a slaughter from Lorestan province. The study performed from 3 April 2009 to 3 April 2012 and inspection carried out from 4,101 cattle, 2,150 sheep and 634 goat. The liver and lungs examined based on CE and showed the highest prevalence in cattle (25.7 %) and the lowest 3.8 % in goat, likewise, CE was more in the lung than to liver. There was significant difference between species of animals and infected organ (P < 0.001). The highest prevalence was seen in winter (32.8 % for cattle, 8.1 % for goat) while, it was 15.7 % for sheep in summer (P = 0.04). Overall these data indicate the necessity of disease control strategy for reduction of CE.

Prevalence and financial effects of hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered in Birre-Sheleko and Dangila Abattoirs, Northwestern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional survey of bovine hydatidosis was carried out on local zebu cattle slaughtered at Birre-Sheleko and Dangila Abattoirs from August 2007 to July 2008 to determine the prevalence and to estimate financial loss caused by the disease. Postmortem examination, hydatid cyst characterization and direct and indirect financial loss estimations were conducted. Out of the total of 521 animals examined (255 Birre-Sheleko and 266 Dangila), 79 (15.2%) were found harbouring one or more hydatid cyst. The prevalence of the disease between the two abattoirs was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The result obtained from postmortem examination indicated that a total of 112 visceral organs were found harbouring one or more hydatid cysts. The involvement of lung, liver, spleen and kidney was found to be 70.5%, 21.4%, 6.3% and 1.8% respectively. From the total of 224 cysts counted, 147 (65.6%), 29 (12.9%), 3 (1.3%) and 45 (20.1%) were small, medium, large and calcified cysts respectively, and 114 (50.9%) and 65 (29%) were sterile and fertile cysts respectively. Viability rate of 47.7%, all from the lungs, and higher liver calcification rate were observed. The annual financial loss from organ condemnation and carcass weight loss due to bovine hydatidosis at Birre-Sheleko and Dangila abattoirs were estimated to be $18911.6.

Reappraising the theme of breeding systems in Echinococcus: is outcrossing a rare phenomenon?

Selfing has been considered the most common mode of reproduction in Echinococcus flatworms. However, population genetic studies on the asexual larval stage involving nuclear co-dominant markers have not always revealed significant heterozygote deficiencies--the expected outcome of a regularly and highly inbred population. In this study, we analysed the genetic structure of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato populations from Southern Brazil during their adult (sexual) stage using 1 mitochondrial and 1 nuclear marker (cox 1 and mdh, respectively). We show that parasite genetic differentiation is largest among definitive hosts (domestic dogs) from different farms, suggesting that transmission is mostly maintained within a farm. Moreover, we show that heterozygote deficiencies are not significant, and we suggest that outbreeding is the most common mode of reproduction of the parasite in that region.

Hydatidosis of slaughtered cattle in Wolaita Sodo Abattoir, southern Ethiopia

The study was carried out from July 2007 to June 2008 in Wolaita Sodo Abattoir to assess the status of hydatidosis in cattle. Routine meat inspection, hydatid cyst count and characterization were conducted. Out of 400 cattle slaughtered in Wolaita Sodo Abattoir 64 (16%) animals were found harboring hydatid cysts. Thorough meat inspection in the abattoir revealed that 74 visceral organ were found harboring one or more hydatid cysts. The infection of the lung, liver, spleen and kidney were found to be 45.94% 45.94%, 6.75% and 1.35% respectively. From the total of 283 hydatid cysts counted 153(54.06%), 17(6.00%), 5(1.76%), 108(38.16%) were found to be small, medium, large and calcified cysts respectively and 170(60.28%), 5(1.76%) and 108(38.16%) were sterile, fertile and calcified cysts respectively. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in the liver than in the lung while fertility rate was higher among the cysts of the lung. Hydatid cyst viability rate of 40% was observed.

Spontaneous rupture of a hepatic hydatıd cyst into the peritoneum causing only mild abdominal pain: A case report

Hydatid disease is an endemic disease in certain areas of the world. It is located mostly in the liver. Spontaneous rupture of the hydatid cyst into the peritoneum is a rare condition, which is accompanied by serious morbidity and mortality generally. We present herein a case with a spontaneous rupture of a hepatic hidatid disease into the peritoneum without any serious symptoms. A 15-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency room with a mild abdominal pain lasting for a day. Physical examination revealed only mild abdominal tenderness. There was no history of trauma or complaints related to hydatid diseases. Ultrasonography showed a large amount of free fluid and a cystic lesion with irregular borders in the liver. He was operated on. Postoperative albendazol therapy was given for 2 mo. No recurrence or secondary hydatidosis was seen on CT investigation in the 3^rd, 6^th and 12^th mo following surgery.