Prevalence and Fertility Survey of Hydatid Cyst in Slaughtered Livestock in Hamadan Abattoir, Western Iran, 2015 - 2016

BackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection which is considered as a significant public health and economic concern. Livestock is the main intermediate host for Echinococcus granulosus.ObjectivesThis study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and fertility rate of hydatid cyst among livestock in Hamadan area, western Iran.MethodsA total of 10626 livestock carcasses were examined through visual inspection in order to detect hydatid cyst in Hamadan industrial slaughterhouse, during 2015 - 2016. The viability and fertility of hydatid cyst were determined microscopically by flame cell activity and eosin dye uptake.ResultsThe carcasses, including 8684 sheep, 1110 goats and 832 cattle were inspected in order to detect hydatid cyst. An overall CE was detected in 3% of the inspected carcasses with a prevalence rate of 5.3% in cattle, 3% in sheep and 1% in goats (P < 0.001). The prevalence rate of infection in the females (2.7%) was more than males (0.3%) (P < 0.001). All of the infected animals were aged one year or more. The highest rate of infection in internal organs was found in the lungs (47.2%). The highest and the lowest fertility rate of hydatid cyst were observed in sheep (69.3%) and cattle (6.8%), respectively. The most of hydatid cysts which obtained from cattle (79.6%) were suppurative or calcified.ConclusionsThis study shows that the prevalence rate of CE is considerable in the area and sheep appear to be the most important intermediate hosts for E. granulosus tapeworm