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.

Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis in a rural community in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Bovine cysticercosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease that affects cattle caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia saginata, the adult parasite that causes taeniasis in humans. Although bovine cysticercosis, and the associated human taeniasis, is controlled in developed countries, it is one of the neglected tropical diseases. Like other parts of Ethiopia, raw or undercooked beef consumption is common in the rural community of Yem district with no meat inspection services.

METHODS

We conducted an abattoir survey to estimate the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in cattle and a questionnaire survey to determine the level of historical human taeniasis infection in Yem district of Ethiopia.

RESULTS

Bovine cysticercosis was detected in 3.1% of 485 cattle examined. Although animal level prevalence was low, a subset of positive animals had a higher rate of cysticercosis infection widely distributed in various parts of the body. Over two-fifths (40%) of the cysts were found in the tongue making it an important organ to look for during meat inspection. Over half of the cysts were viable indicating their potential to infect people. History of taeniasis was reported by 71.5% of 151 residents interviewed during the study. Raw meat consumption was very common (89.4%) among the residents; people who consumed raw meat were 25 times more likely to report taeniasis than those who did not. In addition, traditional treatments using herbs and chemicals of unknown efficacy and risk were very common.

CONCLUSIONS

Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis are important in this rural community. Providing meat inspection services and public health education on intervention measures such as proper cooking of meat, access to latrines and clean water are effective strategies that can break the lifecycle of the parasite and ensure beef safety and public health.

Zoonotic metacestodes and associated financial loss from cattle slaughtered at Yabello municipal abattoir, Borana-Oromia, Ethiopia

Cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and estimate financial losses associated with zoonotic metacestodes in cattle originated from Borana Pastoral Farming System and slaughtered at Yabello Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia. A total of 384 cattle were randomly selected at the abattoir. Detailed postmortem examination, cyst count and fertile test were conducted. Significantly higher prevalence of Cystic echinococcosis (CE) (33.3%) with 5.3 times (OR 95% 3.5-8.1) than Cysticercus bovis (8.6%) was observed. Significant difference (p < 0.05) in prevalence of both CE and C. bovis were observed among the animal body condition, but not in other factors of the study. From total examined animals, 32.8%, 8.1% and 0.5% were infected by CE only, C. bovis only and both as concurrent infections, respectively. Significantly higher CE (p < 0.05) than C. bovis were observed within studied categories of risk factors. Tissue level cyst prevalence of 83.1% CE and 26.6% C. bovis were observed. High CE counts on the lungs (42.7%), liver (32.8%) and kidney (5.2%) but high C. bovis count in triceps muscle and masseter muscles (7.3% each) and heart (3.64%) were observed. Concurrent infections were observed in heart and liver. Out of the 347 counted CE cysts, fertile and viable were 34.0% and 23.1%, respectively. Of the counted C. bovis, 30.4% were both fertile and viable. A total of 301,139.6ETB (11,155.52USD) annual financial losses were calculated during the study period. The Borana Pastoral Farming System characterized by seasonal animal movement needs awareness creation on the elders and leaders regarding parasitic epidemiology and control strategies.