Molecular and epidemiological updates on cystic echinococcosis infecting water buffaloes from Egypt

Estimating the production losses due to cystic echinococcosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Turkey

The current study aimed at estimating the direct (condemned offal) and indirect (meat, milk, and fecundity losses) production losses due to cystic echinococcosis (CE) in water buffaloes in Turkey. A spreadsheet loss model was constructed, and the mean prevalence ratio of CE was accepted as 3.8% in male and 21.7% in female buffaloes. The annual financial losses were estimated with official and previously published data under expected (mean value), optimistic (lowered by 10%), and pessimistic (increased by 10%) scenarios with the prices current in 2021. The production losses in an infected male and female water buffalo were estimated at $54.5 ($49.1-59.9) and $89.9 ($80.9-98.9), respectively. Due to CE, the nationwide annual total production losses were estimated at $1.5 million ($1.3-1.6) for water buffaloes in Turkey. In conclusion, farmers, policymakers, and the public need to be informed about CE's risks and financial impact. Control/eradication programs should be included in government policies at the national level after a cost/benefit analysis.

Cystic echinococcosis in humans and animals in Egypt: An epidemiological overview

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato), is a serious neglected zoonotic disease in many parts of the world, including Egypt. Thus far, the actual incidence of CE in the Egyptian population remains unknown. Infection with E. granulosus (s.l.) is common among stray dogs in rural and suburban areas owing to the spread of parasite eggs. Herein, we present an updated review of published data on the incidence of CE in humans and animals as well as the genotypes prevalent in Egypt. CE occurs in most parts of Egypt; however, available data are mostly from northern Egypt, particularly Cairo and Giza. In southern Egypt, the disease is likely to be underdiagnosed or underreported. A few risk factors were studied. In the Egyptian population, residency in rural areas, farming, and age were significant factors for acquiring CE. In livestock, age, sex and season have been associated with high prevalence of CE. Several genotypes have been identified among livestock (G1, G4, G5, G6 and G7) and humans (G1, G6 and G7). This literature review underscores the need for a precise national surveillance system to track CE distribution in humans and animals and design appropriate preventive and control strategies for this disease.

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A review summarizing the epidemiological data for Echinococcus granulosus (s.l.) infections in Egypt.

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Egypt is an endemic area for cystic echinococcosis in the human population and livestock.

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Genotypes G1, G4, G5, G6 and G7 of E. granulosus (s.l.) were reported in Egypt.

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A national surveillance system to track cystic echinococcosis in Egypt is needed.

The first report of hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus) in an Australian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A three year old female water buffalo was slaughtered for human consumption on a dairy buffalo farm in eastern New South Wales, Australia. Gross examination of the offal revealed four small, superficial hydatid cysts in the liver and two larger superficial cysts in one lung. All organs were sliced and no other cysts were found. Histology and PCR confirmed the cysts to be cysts of Echinococcus granulosus senso stricto. None of the cysts contained protoscoleces. The source ofinfection is equivocal, but it is most likely from E. granulosus eggs passed in the faeces of wild dogs (dingoes and dingo-wild dog hybrids). Wild dogs are resident in the bush that abuts the farm boundary and from time to time wild dogs are seen in the buffalo paddocks on the farm. Sylvatic transmission of E. granulosus occurs commonly in eastern Australia through a predator/prey interaction between wild dogs and macropod marsupials.

Traumatic rupture of liver hydatid cysts into the peritoneal cavity of an 11-year-old boy: a case report from Iran

This is the first published case report of an 11-year-old patient with a rupture of a liver hydatid cyst (HC) into the peritoneal cavity after an abdominal trauma in Iran. The disease was diagnosed using focused abdominal sonography for trauma. To date, no cases of traumatic ruptures of liver HCs in children have been reported in Iran. In the endemic regions of the world, where patients suffer from a history of trauma and constant abdominal symptoms or anaphylactic shock, early diagnosis of HC is crucial as it may disseminate to other organs. The condition needs conservative surgery and follow-up.